Contents:

1.       Section Update
2.       Health and Safety
3.       Industry trends
4.       Americas & The Caribbean
5.       Asia Pacific
6.       Africa and Arab World
7.       Europe

The summer and autumn Port Industry Updates have been consolidated into a 6 page issue (No. 7) due to temporary staffing issues in the Dockers’ Secretariat.

1.     SECTION UPDATE

DATABASE STEPS UP PORTS OF CONVENIENCE CAMPAIGN:  A database focusing on the multinational companies that operate in the ports sector, known as global network terminal operators (GNTs), is set to provide the ITF's ports of convenience campaign with renewed momentum.  The initiative, developed jointly by the ITF and its Australian affiliate the Maritime Union of Australia, aims to enable union representatives to gain a better understanding of the world's top GNTs. Launched in September, the database will include information on the ports in which they operate, the terminals they run, stakeholders in those terminals as well as background business information.  In its initial stage, the database concentrates on information relating to two of the biggest companies.  However, in the medium term, it is expected that it will contain details of the top four GNTs and over time, the top 20. Affiliates' contributions and active participation in the development of the database will be crucial to its success. This practical tool is intended to help dockers' unions to enhance their organising and campaigning work, in turn boosting the ITF's ports of convenience campaign and its organising globally strategy. It will also note the extent of ITF affiliates' engagement with the companies.  Paddy Crumlin, Chair of the ITF Dockers' Section and National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, has welcomed the launch of the database as an important resource helping unions to apply the ITF's organising globally model in the ports sector.  Due to resource issues, the database is in English only.  Access to the database is restricted to ITF affiliates.  Please contact james_sharon@itf.org.uk for more information.

DOCKERS CALL FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN GAMBIAN PORT RESTRUCTURING DISPUTE:  The Gambia Dock and Marine Workers’ Union, representing workers in the port of Banjul, has announced its intention to take industrial action at the beginning of September as a dispute over the dismissal of workers remains unresolved. The port authority had issued termination notices as part of government proposals to change the administration and management of dock labour in the port of Banjul.  The move was prompted by the failure of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) to deliver on promises agreed at a meeting with the union in June. These included a commitment to withdraw termination notices that had been issued to workers earlier in the year to pave the way for dialogue with the union, and to establish a sub-committee on the recruitment of dockers. Other key issues include outstanding payments to workers.  The ITF contacted the Managing Director of the GPA and the Gambian President, Alhaji Dr Yahya Abdul-Azziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh, in July in a bid to help resolve the dispute.

PEDRO ZAMORA CAMPAIGN – SECOND MISSION, FEARS FOR STEPQ LEADERS’ SAFETY AND SOLIDARITY ACTIONS:  A second ITF and ITUC-led international mission arrived in Guatemala on Monday 23 July to pressure employers and the government to identify the murderers of Pedro Zamora.  The group included senior officials, trade unionists and activists from Denmark, the US, and Spain, representatives from the ITF and other international trade union organisations as well as from Guatemalan organisations.  The delegation met with STEPQ members in Puerto Quetzal, the General Manager of the port and with local police.  Mission members discussed contract negotiations with the union and management, and proposed that the port company enter into immediate talks.  At the police station, it emerged that the local police captain has changed since the assassination. During their visit to Guatemala City, the international representatives met with politicians and with the interior ministry, as well as with human rights organisations. They also raised their concerns with banana company, Chiquita.  During the mission, representatives from the ILWU, USA delivered a resolution from the City of Los Angeles condemning the failure to find Pedro’s killers and presented the City’s posthumous award to Pedro Zamora to his son.

Leaders of the STEPQ union are under increasing pressure as fears grow for their safety.  General Secretary Lázaro Reyes is being watched by men on motorbikes who wait outside his house, and has police protection.  Union leaders also continue to receive death threats.  The situation for STEPQ in Puerto Quetzal is increasingly tense for different reasons.  Firstly, Guatemala’s national elections take place on 9th September.  Local observers say this is important because the current administration wants to push through its plans for a new private port terminal before it loses power. These plans are currently the subject of a feasibility study.  Secondly, annual collective bargaining has come to a standstill, with port managers refusing to talk to STEPQ, seemingly because of the union’s opposition to the port privatisation plans. It is clear that pressure is on STEPQ to renounce its position. The union remains resolute - although it stresses it is not against modernisation via a transparent process. There is strong support for the union’s position in the local community. Meanwhile, international attention must be retained - to increase pressure on the investigation to find those responsible for the murder of Pedro Zamora, and to support STEPQ’s threatened union leaders.

The ITF has asked affiliates in key countries to visit ships and facilities served by Puerto Quetzal, as part of an information campaign.  These affiliates have been provided with data on Guatemalan exports.  Ship visits have been carried out on the US East Coast and preparations are underway for vessels to be visited in the Gulf of Mexico.  A sugar refinery in Canada has also been approached in the port of Vancouver, ILWU Canada representatives have distributed campaign posters, bulletins and badges to union workers at Rogers Sugar, and have informed managers of their concerns.