ITF Dockers News

Dockers stage global solidarity action as IKEA Canada lockout continues

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/9969

20 December 2013

Dockers from ITF unions around the world were involved in solidarity activities this week, to show their support for workers at the IKEA Canada Richmond store, who have now been locked out for over seven months.

The day of global solidarity on Tuesday at international ports which are part of the IKEA supply chain, followed the release of a report by the ITF and Uni Global Union calling on IKEA Canada to end the lockout of workers and return to the bargaining table in good faith immediately. View the full report: How IKEA is hurting families: Report on the IKEA lockout in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. http://ikeahurtsfamilies.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/ikea-report-a4.pdf

The release of the report coincided with an international delegation visit to IKEA home country Sweden, which was featured on Swedish television on December 11. Watch the clip here >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOwbbFRu3f4&feature=youtu.be

Dockers in Canada, Belgium, Australia, Sweden, Japan, Finland, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK were part of leafleting and solidarity action at their ports. View photos of the dockers in action here >> https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.233577033483595.1073741838.129900080517958&type=1&l=5e3282d90e)  

ITF national co-ordinator in Canada Peter Lahay said: “IKEA’s actions are inexcusable. IKEA has put its workers on the street for seven months purely for retaliation. These workers exercised their legal right to vote down IKEA’s demands for a discriminatory wage system and cuts to family health care benefits. Now, IKEA is holding the workers hostage while they stand outside in the winter, at Christmas time.”



Get more on the dispute: www.ikeahurtsfamilies.com

Dockworkers urged to support 13 January action week for Port of Lisbon

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/9972

23 December 2013

The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and International Dockworkers’ Council (IDC) have pledged their support in a meeting on 17 December, for dockworkers in Lisbon who have been under prolonged attack from their government and employers.

Working conditions for Portuguese dockworkers, particularly those at the port of Lisbon, have been deteriorating since the government adopted the new Port Law on 1 February this year. The ETF and IDC heard reports that the bargaining process has been frozen, and that employers have attempted to establish a new labour pool of non-union workers to replace existing professional dockworkers. On top of this, 47 dockworkers at Lisbon port have reportedly been dismissed with no rightful reason.

The ETF and IDC promised to support the union in tackling these deteriorating conditions, particularly to press for social dialogue, an end to union-busting, and the reinstatement of the 47 dismissed dockworkers as key aims for the campaign.  Both organisations and the ITF see the Portuguese situation as part of a bigger challenge faced by dockworkers all over Europe.  European legislation and infringement mechanisms have been used to try to undermine national laws and dockers’ conditions elsewhere including in Spain and Greece.  More recently, the Belgian government has also come under pressure.

The campaign will pick up during the week of 13 January, when dockworkers across Europe are due to take action at their local Portuguese embassy.  Affiliates are urged to show their support for the workers in Lisbon and their determination to defend the rights of dockworkers across Europe by seeking to meet with the head of the embassy and staff responsible for labour relations to highlight the concerns above.  Legal rallies and protests are also encouraged.  Please send photographs of your action and messages of support for the Lisbon dockers to dockers@itf.org.uk

Get the full statement from http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/9972  the ETF/IDC here…