ITF Unions in Maersk
Unions threaten Maersk Line with labour court
15 February 2008
Unions allege that Maersk Line is violating labour rights by replacing Danish seafarers with international crew.
Maersk Line is likely to face a Danish labour court case over its plan to lay off 200 Danish seafarers who will be replaced by non-Danish personnel on lower wages. The reason given is the financial crisis in Maersk Line.
But the dismissals of Danish seafarers are a clear voilation of the collective bargaining agreement signed by Maersk Line, Danish trade unions 3F and The Danish Metalworkers Union have claimed.
“It is a violation of the collective agreement to dismiss seafarers with no other reason than the cost of wages. That’s unacceptable and we regard it as a hostile act. Maersk Line signed the agreement last year, and they have to live up to it,” stated Henrik Berlau ,Transport Secretary of 3F.
The two unions will meet with the Danish Shipowners Association on Monday to demand a withdrawal of the dismissals of 74 seafarers who are members of the two unions.
“If they do not follow the notice, we are going to take A.P. Moller-Maersk to labour court,” said Keld Beakkelund Hansen, head of the seafarers’ section in the Danish Metal Workers Union.
A number of Danish unions have urged the company to withdraw the dismissals.
The Danish Metalworkers Union and the Sea Catering Employees Organisation are also believed to be considering the suspension of cooperation with the shipping lines over the Danish International Ship Register (DIS), because of the terminations.
Unions have stated that the money saved by dismissing the Danes is minimal.
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