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Battle to scupper second EU ports package begins
2 February 2005
The ITF and its European arm the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) have launched a high profile campaign in a bid to see off a second round of ports package proposals.
The European Commission’s plans for a directive on market access to port services put forward in Autumn last year - almost a year after unions helped defeat a similar commission proposal - was retabled by the outgoing transport commissioner without consulting key stakeholders including trade unions.
“While the philosophy and general principles outlined in the first proposal remain intact, this proposal is even worse than the one rejected by the European Parliament in November 2003. This directive would see self-handling as a general rule, carried out not only by seafaring crew, but also by unregistered and untrained land-based staff hired by the self-handler. Additionally, the plans treat pilotage as a commercial service and fail to take into account its role in maritime safety,” said Frank Leys, ITF Dockers’ Section Secretary.
The ITF and ETF are calling on unions across Europe to support the campaign, which began in the middle of January with a postcard lobby of key individuals. Eduardo Chagas, ETF Dockers’ Section Secretary explained: “We are asking European affiliates to send the postcards to their MEP’s as well as to Commissioner Jacques Barrot. It is also important that the commissioner hears from dockers’ and seafarers’ unions worldwide to emphasise that the global trade union movement is closely monitoring developments in the EU.”
An online petition has also been launched against the ports package. Unions should encourage their members to log on to www.pp2stop.org and sign the petition.
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