Dispute escalates in Belgium as attack on EU dockers continues
The Europe-wide fight to protect dockers' work is continuing as a dispute in the port of Antwerp, Belgium escalates.
The ETF and ITF are supporting affiliated unions throughout the region as they deal with attacks via European Union and national legislation, and direct through employers.
The Common Trade Union Front for the Port of Antwerp (GVHA) which represents ABVV-BTB, ACV Transcom and ACLVB, is involved in a conflict with employer LOGISPORT over attempts to undermine the status of port workers which is protected by the Belgian Law on Port Labour.
More than 250 dockers were involved in action on 12 March, including blockades at the gate of Katoennatie in quay 1227. The GVHA has outlined its intention to take further action if management fails to meet union representatives around the negotiating table.
A statement from the GVHA said: "We have never been known for going ahead with reckless actions; we have always tried to find a solution by means of industrial consultation. However, the statements and letters originating from Mr HUTS (of LOGISPORT) in the course of recent months leave us with no other choice."
Following industrial action by GVHA members in June 2013 regarding the non-compliance to the port labour legislation by LOGISPORT, an agreement was made to find a solution through social dialogue. To date, despite mediation by a Joint Subcommittee, attempts by GVHA to enter into open negotiation with management have failed.
The statement concluded: ”We will not allow the status of dock labour to be undermined by unreliable individuals. Therefore we give today a clear warning to Mr HUTS and LOGISPORT: Start the social dialogue! Show some respect for our Law on Dock Labour!”
In the meantime there is concern that a ruling later in March could find the Belgium national port law in breach of EU laws governing port work. Allegedly it comes following complaints from some employers in the port of Antwerp which have been sympathetically received by the European Commission.
ETF dockers’ section secretary Livia Spera said: “The ETF and ITF are united in criticising the attitude of the Euopean Commission which, over the last years has been prompting the presentation of complaints on the organisation of port labour. This is not coherent with the declared intention to support social dialogue, as infringement procedures and court cases only contribute to social unrest and the triggering of disputes.”
Find out more about the ongoing attack on dockers across Europe >>
The Common Trade Union Front for the Port of Antwerp (GVHA) which represents ABVV-BTB, ACV Transcom and ACLVB, is involved in a conflict with employer LOGISPORT over attempts to undermine the status of port workers which is protected by the Belgian Law on Port Labour.
More than 250 dockers were involved in action on 12 March, including blockades at the gate of Katoennatie in quay 1227. The GVHA has outlined its intention to take further action if management fails to meet union representatives around the negotiating table.
A statement from the GVHA said: "We have never been known for going ahead with reckless actions; we have always tried to find a solution by means of industrial consultation. However, the statements and letters originating from Mr HUTS (of LOGISPORT) in the course of recent months leave us with no other choice."
Following industrial action by GVHA members in June 2013 regarding the non-compliance to the port labour legislation by LOGISPORT, an agreement was made to find a solution through social dialogue. To date, despite mediation by a Joint Subcommittee, attempts by GVHA to enter into open negotiation with management have failed.
The statement concluded: ”We will not allow the status of dock labour to be undermined by unreliable individuals. Therefore we give today a clear warning to Mr HUTS and LOGISPORT: Start the social dialogue! Show some respect for our Law on Dock Labour!”
In the meantime there is concern that a ruling later in March could find the Belgium national port law in breach of EU laws governing port work. Allegedly it comes following complaints from some employers in the port of Antwerp which have been sympathetically received by the European Commission.
ETF dockers’ section secretary Livia Spera said: “The ETF and ITF are united in criticising the attitude of the Euopean Commission which, over the last years has been prompting the presentation of complaints on the organisation of port labour. This is not coherent with the declared intention to support social dialogue, as infringement procedures and court cases only contribute to social unrest and the triggering of disputes.”
Find out more about the ongoing attack on dockers across Europe >>
calling all dockers also join european dockers united we have contact with dockers across Europe together strong proud to be a docker
heard something of the French dockerwerkers???? or they come
tomorrow we will arrive at the Parc du Cinquantenaire (end demonstration) during ... ... ... ... the Friday prayer in the great mosque of Brussels, well arranged I would say haha
Allé the Friday a city trip to Brussels with the fellow dockworkers:):):)
If there are still people who are interested, just contact your Trade Union because it's 5 after 12
Why would zeebrugge, Ghent and Antwerp do not follow the example of calais and from this evening 10 pm everything shut them down in the ports?? It would of course requirements and your slogan you deserved! united we stand!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2595999/Wildcat-strike-French-ferry-workers-brings-chaos-Dover-Calais-hundreds-British-travellers-stuck-France.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
If there are still people who are interested, just contact your Trade Union because it's 5 after 12
Why would zeebrugge, Ghent and Antwerp do not follow the example of calais and from this evening 10 pm everything shut them down in the ports?? It would of course requirements and your slogan you deserved! united we stand!!!!!!!!!!
Cross-channel chaos as French dockers strike
UPDATED: Cross-Chanel ferry services between Calais and Dover were severely disrupted on Thursday morning after French dock workers called a wild-cat strike. P&0 Ferries told The Local it has been forced to transfer most tourist traffic on to the Eurotunnel
Alain Merveillie from the CGT union complained that the regional authorities had asked a company to bring in contracted workers to unload a boat, was unnacceptable given that “there is not much work for dockers and crane operators anyway and in a region where there is 18 percent unemployment.”http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2595999/Wildcat-strike-French-ferry-workers-brings-chaos-Dover-Calais-hundreds-British-travellers-stuck-France.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
On Friday 28 March 2014, the European Commission sent a reasoned opinion to Belgium on the organisation of port labour in Belgian ports, which would allegedly infringe the rules of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). This is the first step towards the opening of an infringement procedure, which has been lengthily announced.
Apparently, the reasoned opinion follows the complaints introduced by an employer operating within the port of Antwerp, who is apparently in very close contact with the European Commission and who has recently invested in the Baltic area.
ETF Dockers’ Political Secretary Livia Spera said: “This reasoned opinion does not come as a surprise: some members and services of the European Commission have been openly encouraging the presentation of complaints on port labour. Belgium has been for many years a target for all those who see good working conditions as an impediment to competitiveness. Having failed twice to liberalise port labour through legislation in the recent past, court cases are now being used to weaken social protection of port workers. We firmly condemn the hypocritical attitude of the European Commission, which declares its support to the development of social dialogue in the sector and at the same time encourages the presentation of complaints. The opening of court cases will only trigger social unrest in ports.”
In 2012 a reasoned opinion on the organisation of port labour was sent to Spain, which resulted in the opening of an infringement procedure.
“We have the impression that some would like to see port work getting back to the beginning of the 20th century” declared Terje Samuelsen, ETF Dockers’ Chair. “The current labour organisation systems in many European ports have been set to avoid casualisation and to guarantee fair working conditions and continuity of employment, while ensuring the flexibility that port operations require. European Dockers are ready to stand by their Belgian comrades and will do everything to stop the growing trend towards liberalisation of port labour.”
The reasoned opinion comes only two days after the conclusion of the first round of negotiations between social partners on the actualisation of port labour in Belgian ports, which were conducted with the support of the Belgian Ministry of Employment. According to declarations from the Belgian social partners, further negotiations are to be expected in the future.
Real protesting, not hideing behind a radio moaning or being a back room lawyer in the mess room.
ReplyDeleteAre you referring to POF, surely not
ReplyDelete