ETF an d ITF support fightback over potential chan ge to Span ish port recruitment
5 July 2013
The ETF an d ITF have begun a consultation process with affiliated unions in Spain, to see how they can support them following news that chan ges could be made to the way dockworkers are recruited in Span ish ports.
The European Commission (EC) is referring Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) over the existing rules on hiring port labour in locations including Barcelona, Algeciras, Valencia an d Bilbao.
Currently, cargo han dling compan ies hire port workers through private compan ies owned by employers in each port, rather than hiring them freely. The EC argues that cargo han dling providers from other EU member states wishing to establish themselves in Span ish ports might be discouraged because of the current recruitment situation an d that this hinders the exercise of the freedom of establishment.
Terje Samuelsen, chair of the ETF dockers’ section, said: “We can now see that the European Commission’s DG MOVE (directorate general for mobility an d tran sport) is determined to continue the struggle to introduce port package three, this time not only through legislation but through the opening of court cases an d the imposition of liberalisation of port labour as a condition to the allocation of rescue funds. They are now trying to justify themselves by using the court to actually say that social dumping is okay in ports in the EU!”
He continued: “Dockers in Europe, with the support of rest of the world's dockers, will take up this fight an d we are confident that we will win on this importan t issue.
We will support our comrades in Spain in every possible way.”
The ETF an d ITF renew their call to the Span ish government to effectively defend the system currently in place in Span ish ports before the CJEU. The current law is the result of extensive consultation of social partners, an d both the employers an d the unions keep being in favour of the system in place.
In addition to the direct impact a chan ge in the rules on Span ish port recruitment would have on Span ish dockers, there are also implications for dockers across the European Union. A decision in favour of the EC argument could set a precedent for concerns over private business an d competition in the EU outweighing working issues like job security.
Antwerp port strike ends following agreement over dockers’ work
8 July 2013
A strike in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium which began after union delegates were refused entry to a warehouse during a routine inspection, has come to an end.
ITF- an d ETF-affiliated unions ACV Tran scom, ABVV-BTB, ACLVB were all involved in the action which ran for six days from 26 June. The unions stopped all cargo at Katoen Natie terminal after delegates were barred from entering a warehouse where they suspected non-dockworker agency staff from Polan d were doing dockers’ work. It is thought this was being facilitated through tran sshipment an d goods storage compan y, Logisport.
Following a strained second conciliation attempt between unions an d the Katoen Natie Group that lasted for more than nine hours, a satisfactory agreement was reached which stipulates that no retaliation measures will be taken following the strike an d that all compensation claims against the dock workers will be aban doned.
The Social Inspection Services of the Federal Government Administration was present to establish an y violations of the Law on Dock Labour, which restricts dock work to registered dock labourers. It was agreed that social dialogue between the unions an d the employer over the conclusions of the social inspection services an d the Law on Docker Labour will take place an d issues will be addressed an d resolved by 31 October 2013.
A recommendation was also made by the mediator that the employer comply with the Law on Dock Labour an d look at its use of compan ies like Logisport, which was specifically refered to.
Marc Loridan , federal secretary of the ports of Belgium BTB said: “We would like to than k dock workers in Antwerp, for their committment to bringing this difficult situation to a satisfactory ending an d their efforts in helping to preserve the status of dock labourers. This is part of a wider attack on the dockers’ profession an d it’s something that we’re just not prepared to accept.”
In a similar vein, general secretary for the maritime section of ACV Tran scom Michel Claes said: “This case doesn’t stan d in isolation. It sits within the framework of attacks coming from the European Commission an d other powerful lobbies. The objective is to liberalise port labour an d lower stan dards in order to lower costs for port users, that’s quite clear to us.”
Dock union leaders mobilise forces in key disputes
12 July 2013
Building the power of port unions across the board, campaigning globally an d fighting back against union busting tactics. Those were the key commitments from delegates at the ITF dockers’ section conference in Chicago, USA, this week.
A number of key disputes were highlighted by the group, which included dockers’ union representatives from across the world.
One of the most prominent concerns global network terminal operator (GNT) DP World, over its reluctan ce to negotiate on trade union rights in London Gateway terminal, UK, an d ongoing negotiations in the Port of Brisban e, Australia. Delegates resolved to organ ise a campaign to highlight the issue. Get more information here.
In addition to the resolution passed on DP World, there were also emergency motions regarding support for port workers in Israel where the government has an nounced the establishment of two new ports, an d for workers at the Port of Newcastle, Australia where the employer is attempting to weaken workers’ rights through alterations to their working agreements.
There were further calls for international solidarity over: the grain dispute on the West Coast of America, which has seen hundreds of members from ITF-affiliated union the International Longshore an d Warehouse Union (ILWU) locked out long term at the Ports of Van couver an d Portlan d; the ongoing dispute on contracting out an d union busting at the Port of Aucklan d, New Zealan d; the moves towards liberalisation of port work by the European Union; an d the general rise of automation an d promotion of precarious work by employers.
In addition, support was pledged to Moroccan trade unionist Said Elhairech, who was imprisoned for charges relating to trade union activities last year. He was freed following a high profile ITF campaign an d there is now a drive to get the only charge remaining against him, which regards freedom of association, dropped. Get more on the campaign here.
Addressing delegates, ITF president Paddy Crumlin said: “Some of the action we commit to in this room will determine labour stan dards including through union recognition an d legitimate bargaining rights. World trade is growing exponentially an d if it is to continue to do so functionally, international dockworker labour rights an d decent stan dards need to be respected an d not undermined.”
A new HIV/AIDS resource pack was also launched during the conference aimed at helping port unions to raise awareness, tackle stigma an d promote education around HIV/AIDS. View the resource pack here http://www.itfglobal.org/infocentre/pubs.cfm/detail/39833 .
