European unionists stand by striking Portuguese dockers

European unionists stand by striking Portuguese dockers

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/7734

17 August 2012

The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), the ITF’s European arm, has expressed its support for a 24-hour strike called by Portuguese dockers.

The workers, represented by an alliance of unions Frente Comum Sindical Marítimo Portuária, including the ETF- and ITF-affiliated Sindicato dos Capitães, Oficiais Pilotos, Comissários e Engenheiros da Marinha Mercante (OFICIAISMAR), walked out on strike on 14 August across the port sector. They are embroiled in a dispute over plans by the Portuguese government to amend port labour legislation. The unions believe that behind the government’s declarations regarding the need to modernise the port sector and increase competitiveness lies its real motivation – to increase precarious labour and deregulate the sector.

In a message of solidarity to the unions, ETF general secretary Eduardo Chagas and ETF political secretary Livia Spera, said: “We consider that the measures regarding port labour proposed by the Portuguese government contradict the Portuguese labour code and are unconstitutional.”

They also claimed them to be in breach of International Labour Organization Convention 137 on port work, which Portugal has ratified.

They went on to say that they considered the measures to be anticipating the European Commission’s plans for the next “ports package” which is set to be presented in the coming months. The commission, they claimed, has been arguing that access to port works needs to opened up. This would include the use of interim workers, hired directly by ship owners, and envisages precarious work in pilotage and other services related to maritime safety.

Chagas and Spera added: “ETF reiterates its solidarity and support to your fight and its determination to fight against the government’s and the European Commission’s plans to deregulate and increase precariousness in the port sector. We will keep all ETF- and ITF-affiliated unions informed about the developments in the port sector in Portugal and will be ready to promote the solidarity actions you may consider useful and necessary.”