ITF Dockers News.

ITF backs Norwegian dockers in boycott

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/9737

1 November 2013

The ITF is supporting dockworkers in Norway who have begun a boycott at Risavika terminal today, Friday 1 November.<¬3/> ITF affiliate, the Norwegian Transport Workers’ Union (NTF) is taking the action over the reported refusal of management to sign up to the national Norwegian agreement covering dockworkers.

Instead employer Risavika Terminal AS, is said to be proposing to use seafarers to carry out cargo handling duties.

The ITF has issued a statement condemning the intentions of the company which are in direct contravention of the ITF dockers' clause. The statement reads: All ITF agreements contain the dockers' clause which stipulates that on vessels covered, neither the ship's crew nor anyone else on board shall carry out cargo handling work traditionally or historically done by dockworkers. Cargo handling must be done by professional dockworkers who have the relevant skills and training to be efficient and safe in this role.

The ITF finds the intentions of management to violate the dockers' clause in this way totally unacceptable and agrees with the NTF's assessment that this is a blatant attempt to cut costs and maximise profits in a move which poses a great risk to health and safety standards as well as trade union rights.

View the full statement here >> http://www.itfglobal.org/adminitf/templates/pressandnews/%20https:/www.itfglobal.org/files/seealsodocs/41328/ITF%20STATEMENT%20re%20Risavika.doc

ITF dockers' section chair Paddy Crumlin said: "We are behind the dockers of Norway 100 per cent. They are taking action because they have been left no other choice. This is a long running dispute at the heart of which is the company's lack of respect for dock work as a profession and its willingness to put lives at risk by allowing those without the proper training and experience to do a job which is skilled and dangerous. That's something that we just can't stand back and accept."

Norwegian maritime unions have requested that vessels divert to other ports where there is a NTF agreement in place,while the boycott is in force.

Victory for dockers in Rotterdam

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/9717

25 October 2013

Workers in the Port of Rotterdam have secured a new agreement with their employer, global network terminal operator (GNT) APMT, following weeks of tense negotiations and industrial action.

FNV Bondgenoten had been in dispute with management over the terms and conditions of a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) at the Maasvlakte II terminal, but has now finalised a favourable set of terms for workers.

When dockers in Rotterdam started their action, Maersk Line diverted ships to Antwerp. The union has thanked dockers from across Europe for their solidarity during the dispute.  National secretary of FNV ports Niek Stam said, “We acknowledge that we wouldn’t be able to realise this without the support of the unions. To negotiate without pressure on cargo is impossible”.

During a meeting last week members of both the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and International Dockworkers Council (IDC) pledged their support, and individual actions have been carried out in the days leading up to the agreement.

The United Dockworkers’ Unions Front in Belgium showed solidarity through the delay of several Maersk vessels in Antwerp and the distribution of materials letting crews know about the situation in Rotterdam.

Actions also took place in Gothenburg, Arhuus, Germany and Poland. APMT unions in the Arab World also stood ready to take action, when news of the agreement came.

ITF president and dockers’ section chair Paddy Crumlin said: “We welcome the outcome of these negotiations. Despite a challenging environment, both sides have come to the table and the result is positive for workers.

“There have been strong displays of solidarity around this dispute and we can now see the very real impact of those actions. Standing together we can achieve a great deal and this latest success is a clear example of that.”

View pictures of solidarity action by Belgian dockers’ unions here http://www.flickr.com/photos/itf/sets/72157636906207113