The assembly of workers in Tarragona supports the claims of their English colleagues concerning the London Gateway
The dockers in Tarragona (Spain) held an information assembly yesterday morning with the presence of Andy Green, member of the Executive council of Unite the Union accompanied by a delegation from the port of Barcelona. The meeting organised by La Coordinadora was attended by more than a hundred workers. The meeting served to share and exchange views on the problems British dockers are facing concerning the new London Gateway Terminal, operated and managed by the same multinational company as the Tarragona container terminal - DP World, based in Dubai.
In the UK, DP World has not recognised Unite the Union or entered into a collective bargaining agreement, which is a clear violation of labour rights and an attack on the freedom of association. The lack of a CBA covering dockworkers in the terminal, also leads to greater instability and an increase in the accident rate. Union work places are statistically safer and have an accident rate 50 % less than those without a union.
Coordinadora, an active member of the IDC, has organised this meeting between workers of the two countries that, although far apart, share the same manager. Juan Luis Vidaller, member of the Tarragona Workers Council – Estarraco, recalled that dockers in Tarragona have historically supported international solidarity campaigns and was convinced that DP World should agree to recognise Unite and have a CBA in place. Jordi Aragunde and David Raja, representatives from the Port of Barcelona - with an extensive experience in the IDC struggles, stated that "solidarity among dockers will increase to the same extent as that to the attacks on our profession." Andy Green said "this is a continuation of the international campaign and I would like to thank Tarragona and the other ports from La Coordinadora for their solidarity and support in our struggle for union recognition at the London Gateway."
The IDC urges DP World London Gateway to take the necessary steps to implement a collective agreement with Unite the Union as soon as possible. Unite is not alone in their struggle for union recognition at London Gateway.
The IDC will do everything in their power to support their English colleagues.
European dockers’ unions are showing support for ITF affiliate Unite, as they continue their campaign for trade union rights at London Gateway, which has officially opened for business this week.
The first vessel, MOL Caledon, docked at the new DPW operated terminal on Wednesday night (5 November) to be met by a demonstration. A Unite delegation went on to meet the vessel at its next port of call in Rotterdam, where further actions were staged with the backing of the local union, FNV Bondgenoten.
On Tuesday, 30 representatives from EU dockers’ unions affiliated to the ETF (European Transport Workers’ Union) the European arm of the ITF, and the International Dockworkers’ Council, met at the Unite offices in London and released a statement pledging support. The statement reads: “The meeting agreed that the behaviour exhibited by DP World at London Gateway was symptomatic of a wider attack on trade unions in the European ports sector. The meeting resolved to coordinate support for UNITE the Union by all lawful means to achieve its legitimate demands for union recognition at London Gateway and to ensure that DPW London Gateway re-commits to the process of negotiation with UNITE to allow a timetable to be developed jointly which covers union access and company neutrality.”
Practical support from other European unions has also been secured with various actions expected over the coming weeks at ports receiving vessels from London Gateway.
Comments
Post a Comment