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Baltic Sea action notches up more successes
8 October 2008
The Baltic Sea week of action has reached midpoint with inspections and successes across the region.
These are some of the reports from the teams of participating seafarers’ and dockers’ trade unionists and ITF inspectors:
Sweden: Two ships were inspected in the port of Uddevalla on Tuesday, the Panama flagged Rubicone and Shireen. The Rubicone’s registered owner is Italian, the beneficial owner is in Guernsey and the manager in Switzerland. The Swedish team worked around the clock trying to negotiate an agreement and at one stage industrial action by the crew was imminent. After lengthy negotiations the owner agreed to sign an ITF agreement. The crew of the Shireen say they have not received their salary and want to go home. Further investigation and negotiation is under way today.
The members of the team are Göran Nilsson, ITF inspector and Swedish Transport Worker Union member; Sven Save, ITF inspector and SEKO member: Lars Svensson, and Jörgen Nilsson of the Swedish Transport Workers’ Union, accompanied by their Polish docker colleagues Lukasz Toda and Ireneusz Bielczuk .
Russia: The St Vincent and Grenadines flagged Glory was inspected by Sergey Fishov yesterday. Its owner has agreed to sign the SUR (Seafarers’ Union of Russia) TCC agreement, which is effective from 1 October 2008. The team visiting the Amer Himalaya heard complaints from crew alleging poor conditions, mistreatment and unfair dismissal. The latest report from inspector Kirill Pavlov is that four Ukrainian officers had been paid in US dollars, but during the stay in the St Petersburg the they were told by the bank that because they were used banknotes, they would lose 20% when changing them. After discussion the managers of the vessel confirmed that they will remit the full amount to the bank account of the seafarer once they have returned the payments to the master.
Andrzej Koscki was turned off the vessel Stefanis when he tried to make an inspection. He is following the matter up with the company.
Estonia: By yesterday 36 vessels had been visited, one of which is consequently renewing its ITF approved agreement.
Lithuania: One vessel has been issued with a Notice of Warning.
Germany: 21 vessels visited on Monday.
Poland: 11 vessels visited on Monday. The Anitra will sign a Norwegian union agreement.
ITF Maritime Coordinator Steve Cotton commented: “This is robust, comprehensive and coordinated action right across the region, and again and again it is winning agreements that protect crews. These teams are doing great work.”
ENDS
For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk
International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org
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