Spanish dockworkers have shelved their strike plans announced for the following two weeks, the country’s union Coordinadora said.
The union announced earlier a three-week strike advisory during the odd hours on May 24, 26, 29, 31 and June 2, 5, 7, 9 following the passing of the royal decree by the country’s parliament aimed at reforming the port system in Spain which the workers fear will result in massive layoffs.
The reform, said to be with in line with the EU rules, aims to liberalize employment of port workers, enabling ports to hire non-unionized workers instead of the unionized ones.
Based on the latest decision, the industrial action planned until June 2 has been cancelled.
The move was prompted by the latest meeting of around 200 stevedores from all Spanish ports that was held in Madrid earlier today. During the meeting the stevedores analyzed the current and future negotiations with companies.
As informed by the union, all union representatives were unanimous in demanding the guarantee of all jobs as well as their participation in the formation of the future wages, the transformation of stevedoring societies SAGEPs, which were in charge of recruiting dockers and putting them at the disposal of cargo-handlers, and the commitment of companies to remain in the port employment centers.
World Maritime News Staff