Port disputes in the spotlight during ITF dockers’ section committee

ITF dockers’ unions have been pledging their support for colleagues around the world currently involved in port disputes.

Meeting in London this week, the dockers’ section committee heard a report from the ground on the latest developments at the Port of Hong Kong. Chan Chiu-wai of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) and former general secretary of the Union of Hong Kong Dockers (UHKD) presented to the committee outlining the importance of international support shown to workers on the picket line. Dockers have been striking in Hong Kong in a bid to bring their employer, Hong Kong International Terminals (HIT), a subsidiary of global network terminal operator (GNT) Hutchison, to the table over pay, working conditions and issues of dignity at work. There has been a mass show of solidarity from ITF dockers’ unions as well as members of the community, students and other industry unions via rallies and 8000 letters of protest sent to HIT management. Hear directly from workers involved in the dispute and get more background on the ITF Hong Kong Port campaign page >> (http://www.itfglobal.org/campaigns/campaigns-3714.cfm)Support the HK dispute fundraising campaign via this form >> (http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/8830/region/1/section/0/order/1)

A dispute involving a second GNT employer was raised during the committee meeting. A resolution was passed in support of ITF-affiliated Unite the Union as they try to gain union recognition at the as yet non operational DPWorld London Gateway terminal. The resolution outlines the willingness of committee members to take ‘all lawful action necessary ’ in support of Unite at London Gateway. View the press release, which includes the resolution text >> (http://www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/8820)

Meanwhile ITF dockers’ section secretary Sharon James called for support for the ITF campaign backing dock workers in the Port of Vancouver, Washington, USA who have been locked out for six weeks now by their employer Mitsui United-grain. A LabourStart e-protest attracted more than 6000 hits in less than 24 hours. Add your support and find out more about the dispute >>(http://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=1795)

Post the meeting Sharon James commented: “This is a tough time for dockers with a number of high profile disputes taking place. What came out of the committee meeting was a renewed determination to strengthen organising on the docks.  These struggles only bring us closer together - there is an enormous sense of solidarity between dockers around the world, and we will focus on what can be done to support our brothers and sisters.”

Keep up to date on all these disputes on the ITF homepage (http://www.itfglobal.org/) and via FB (http://www.facebook.com/ITFglobal?fref=ts) and twitter.