Commissioners at the Port of Portland have voted to pay as much as $4.7 million to a port container terminal operator to defray losses caused by recent labor problems.

The Oregonian reports that commissioners called Wednesday's 6-1 vote a business decision, saying ICTSI Oregon Inc.'s operation of Terminal 6 is vital for local business.

Representatives of the longshore union objected, saying commissioners shouldn't subsidize the company.

A labor dispute at the Port of Portland between the longshore union and an electricians union has backed up traffic and led some container ships to bypass Portland.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com