ITF Docker's News.

Georgian dockers secure improved conditions following strike action

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/9099

7 June 2013

Dockers in the Georgian port of Batumi have agreed a number of improved conditions for workers after management came to the table for good faith negotiations following union strike action.

ITF affiliate, the Georgian Seafarers’ Union, has been supporting industrial action by port workers after a series of failed talks over the past two months with port operator, Batumi Industrial Holdings Ltd.

The ITF acting general secretary Stephen Cotton wrote to management calling for them to negotiate with the union representing port workers, with a view to addressing their concerns around precarious work and health and safety, amongst other things.

As a result of these negotiations some of the workers’ demands have been met including a medical insurance package, improved facilities in rest rooms and responsibility being taken by the company for the provision of safety equipment for workers regardless of whether they are employed directly or via a contractor. A salary increase of 2.5 per cent was also secured. The union intends to pursue further negotiations on behalf of Batumi dockers to address issues around overtime payments and wages, and bringing long term temporary staff over to permanent contracts.

ITF dockers' section secretary Sharon James said: “It didn’t seem that this management had any intention of negotiating in good faith, so this is a real breakthrough. The concerns of the union, real concerns over everyday issues that affect every person working in the port, are being taken seriously. That’s what the union has been striving for so it's a significant achievement.”

ITF complains to Mitsui over ongoing Vancouver lockout

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/9072

31 May 2013

The ITF has made a formal complaint over the continued lockout of dockers at the Port of Vancouver in Washington, USA.

The aggressive tactic, affecting around 200 members of ITF affiliate the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, has been taken by United Grain, which is owned by Japanese conglomerate Mitsui. The ITF believes this is part of a bid to pressurise the union into accepting a sub-standard agreement in ongoing negotiations over a new grain contract following the expiration of the existing one last year.

In the letter addressed to president and CEO of Mitsui Limited, Masami Ijima, ITF acting general secretary Stephen Cotton says: “I am writing to you because the ITF and its affiliates are deeply concerned that the ILWU’s members have been locked out by Mitsui’s local management for nearly three months now – since 27th February 2013 - and there does not appear to be any sign of a willingness to return to goodfaith bargaining with the union to resolve this dispute, which is deeply damaging to both Mitsui’s business and reputation.”

“Mitsui is of course one of Japan’s top conglomerates with an international standing and reputation. The ITF is aware of Mitsui’s corporate social responsibility policy, and we now urge you to demonstrate that the company takes its reponsibility towards its global workforce seriously by resolving the dispute in the Port of Vancouver without delay.”

“The ILWU has respresented grain handlers since the 1930s in Vancouver, Tacoma and Seattle, Washingon, and in Portland, Oregon. The man and women who work at the Port of Vancouver are simply seeking to negotiate contracts that do not undermine their working conditions, and that allow them to have decent standards of living for their families.”

Support workers in Vancouver by visiting the LabourStart campaign page. http://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=1795