Slowing economy forces Oakland port job cuts

The job cuts represent approximately 10 percent of the port's 591 employees. However, an internal port document says that it may be necessary to eliminate more jobs over time.

Imports have declined 5.5 percent from January through April at the Port of Oakland, compared with the first four months of 2007, while exports are up 11.8 percent.

At the Port of Los Angeles, imports are off 7.1 percent in the same period, and they are down 10.5 percent at the Port of Long Beach, the largest and second-largest ports on the West Coast, trailed by Oakland.