Wage deal won in India port

Wage deal won in India port

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/6329

24/08/2011

Transport workers in a container terminal in Tuticorin, India, have won a substantial wage hike following a four-day strike and assistance via the ITF’s global network terminals (GNT) network.

The Tuticorin PSA SICAL Container Terminal Staff Union reached a four-year wage settlement after members walked out on strike for four days from 19-22 July. On 22 July, managers of the PSA container terminal finally accepted the union’s demands; they agreed to a 43 per cent wage increase backdated to 1 April 2011, interim relief of 2500 rupees (US$54) from 1 July as well as statutory and performance bonuses for all employees. In addition, 23 employees on low grades are set to receive an increment.

Another PSA union and member of the ITF GNT network, a solidarity initiative linking unions in container terminals around the world, provided vital assistance by encouraging local management to enter into negotiations with the union.

ITF dockers’ section secretary Frank Leys commented: “We congratulate the union on this success. The combined effect of the union’s strike action and lobbying by another PSA union helped to win this agreement. It’s a great example of how members of the GNT network can help each other out.”

Click here http://www.itfglobal.org/dockers/join-the-network.cfm  for more information about the GNT network.