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Port Industry Update, Issue 1, September 2005 (157kb PDF)
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A mega development that will reshape the existing port area is likely to lead to the redundancy of 2,500 workers. Dockworkers in the port of Santo Domingo are set to lose their jobs following elimination of the area that was used for loading and unloading merchant vessels. ITF affiliated union, the Federacion Dominicana de Trabajadores Portuarios, has protested over the changes, which are being made without due consideration for the devastating effects on workers and communities. In a letter, the ITF General Secretary urged the government to reconsider, and to guarantee fair compensation for the workers who will lose their jobs. He also called for training and redeployment where possible and unionisation and collective bargaining rights in the Port of Santo Domingo so that workers can make their own decisions about restructuring their organisations.
FNVB Netherlands says ‘Thank you - our fight goes on’
1,500 Dutch dockers demonstrated outside their Parliament on 31 August against the deratification of ILO Convention 137. They were joined by delegations from the BTB (Belgium) and ILWU (USA). FNVB also received 23 messages of support. Niek Stam, Dockers’ Secretary said, ‘It was important for our dockers and the government to see how much support we had internationally’. The vote to denounce Con 137 was deferred to 6 September when unfortunately, it was won by the government. But, the FNVB will continue their fight to safeguard members’ conditions. ‘Port employers supported by the government have violated the Dutch consensus model and have chosen confrontation for the future instead of consultation’ said Stam.
ILWU Blue Diamond Action Day on 21st Nov for workers' right to unionise
The ILWU is planning a Day of Action on 21 November to highlight the ongoing dispute between the workforce and management of Blue Diamond over the right to unionise. 600 workers in Sacramento, California working for Blue Diamond, which runs the world’s largest almond processing plant, have asked the ILWU for help with forming a union to address workplace problems. The company has opposed the efforts vigorously, even firing four workers who support the union effort. Some 70 percent of the almonds processed by Blue Diamond are shipped overseas and pass through ILWU hands. The Day of Action plans to target distributors in Netherlands, Germany, India, Spain, Italy, Japan, Korea and the UK, which are important markets for the company. The ILWU is asking unions in these countries to consider sending a small delegation to visit distributors with information about the dispute, and to request that they sign a letter of concern over Blue Diamond’s treatment of its employees. For further information contact Peter Olney, Organising Director, ILWU (peter.olney@ilwu.org).
2. HEALTH & SAFETY
Straddle Carrier accident in the UK – request for information by the T&G
The driver of a Noell straddle carrier was seriously injured when the machine tipped over in a UK port. According to information from the T&G (UK), the straddle carrier, which had a Caterpillar engine mounted on top, was going around a corner at the time but was travelling at a normal speed with its spreader down at the required/safe height. It was not carrying a container. The T&G would like to hear from unions who have experience of a similar nature with the same machine. Contact Mike Gibbons, T&G (mikegibbons@btinternet.com).
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