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Following Unite’s six-month campaign for recognition at London Gateway, owner Dubai Ports World (DPW) has opened the door for the union to recruit dockworkers at the new port, creating a route to eventual union recognition.
“We have signed a memorandum of understanding with the company which gives us access to workers at the port,” said Vince Passfield, deputy regional secretary of Unite’s London & Eastern region. “We are cautiously optimistic as the campaign enters this new phase.”
Thanks to the agreement with DPW, Unite officials are now able to concentrate on a recruitment drive at the port. The goal is to grow membership to a level that secures recognition for Unite.
The region's lead officer for the docks sector, Jane Jeffery added, “Many of these dockworkers may have little or no experience of the long term benefits that union membership brings. This is particularly relevant within the docks where this union has a long and proud history of representing workers' interests in terms of health and safety improvements, as well as securing improved terms and conditions.”
DPW is developing London Gateway to handle 3.5 million containers a year. It opened to the first ship in November. Unite and its predecessors have organised British dockers for more than a century. It has negotiating rights at all established major container ports in the UK.
“We have signed a memorandum of understanding with the company which gives us access to workers at the port,” said Vince Passfield, deputy regional secretary of Unite’s London & Eastern region. “We are cautiously optimistic as the campaign enters this new phase.”
Thanks to the agreement with DPW, Unite officials are now able to concentrate on a recruitment drive at the port. The goal is to grow membership to a level that secures recognition for Unite.
The region's lead officer for the docks sector, Jane Jeffery added, “Many of these dockworkers may have little or no experience of the long term benefits that union membership brings. This is particularly relevant within the docks where this union has a long and proud history of representing workers' interests in terms of health and safety improvements, as well as securing improved terms and conditions.”
DPW is developing London Gateway to handle 3.5 million containers a year. It opened to the first ship in November. Unite and its predecessors have organised British dockers for more than a century. It has negotiating rights at all established major container ports in the UK.
Contact the Unite 4 Gateway team:
Email Jane Jeffery or Paul Constable
Follow @Unite4Gateway on Twitter
Like Unite4Gateway Facebook group
Visit the campaign website
Email Jane Jeffery or Paul Constable
Follow @Unite4Gateway on Twitter
Like Unite4Gateway Facebook group
Visit the campaign website
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