Representatives of dockworkers’ unions from 11 countries have met in Antwerp, Belgium for a conference focusing on European Commission (EC) plans to introduce a third ports initiative which would go one step further in removing the professional status of dockworkers in Europe.ITF- and ETF- affiliated unions joined forces with those represented by the International Dockworkers Council (IDC), in a united front against the proposals to bring in a fresh package of legislation. It comes in the wake of ports packages 1 and 2, elements of which were fiercely opposed, and successfully thwarted, by dockers unions across Europe at the time of introduction.The new package of proposals, expected to be announced in 2013, has been branded by the unions as a further attempt at port liberalisation and an attack on organised labour in European docks, and not in fact an effort at improving efficiency and competitiveness as the EC has represented.The EC has committed to consulting with a wide range of stakeholders ahead of the new package announcement but the conference condemned what it called ‘management stalling tactics’ in terms of launching social dialogue with the unions.The conference, organised by Belgian Transport Workers Union (UBOT-FGTB), made this collective statement: “We confirm our willingness to participate in social dialogue, the launch of which has been delayed for over three years, for reasons that remain unclear. As far as participation in the consultation over the new ports policy is concerned, we will not hesitate to express our disapproval, if this consultation leads to the dismantling of the working conditions, which were hard won and currently exist at the various European ports.”Dockers section secretary Frank Leys added: “The industrial response from unions when the EC tried to take away the protection around dock work in ports packages 1 and 2 was strong. We ask now, is the EC trying to wage war on the waterfront again?” Contact your Shop Steward for more infomation.
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