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.
Update:
Check out pictures from Rotterdam showing the arrival of the MOL Caledon on our Flickr subset
You can also watch an interview with one of the Unite delegates and Nick Stam, National Secretary of FNV Ports, on our Youtube channel
Find out more about the Unite 4 Gateway campaign by liking their Facebook page - and stay up to date with new developments.
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