Australia¹s cabotage undermining attacked at ILO

Please find this release attached and below.

Yours,

Sam Dawson

ITF

12 February 2016

Australia's cabotage undermining attacked at ILO

The Seafarers' Group at the International Labour Organization (ILO) has strongly criticised the Conservative Australian Government 's role in undermining Australian workers in maritime cabotage trades during a meeting in Geneva this week.

 

The Seafarers' Group represents workers in the maritime sector in ILO forums. It includes the ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) as well as Chinese seafarers' unions.

 

The criticism comes after five Australian crew onboard the MV Portland were in the early hours of January 13 removed from their beds, marched from the vessel and abandoned on the wharf.

 

They were replaced by an exploited Indian crew and questions still remain about the type of visas these workers were on and the Customs clearance they had received.

 

The Australian Parliament heard this week that the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) was aware an Australian crew would be removed from the cargo ship MV Portland three weeks before it happened.

 

It heard that the government did not question whether shipowner Alcoa had a genuine commercial reason for needing a temporary licence to lower costs, because the relevant legislation doesn't act in that way.

 

ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) president Paddy Crumlin said the Australian Government and its agencies had deliberately not told the workers and their union that they were to be replaced.

 

"The Australian government has been identified as being part of an organised conspiracy of harassment and bullying including against the Indian seafarers who were denied their rights," Mr Crumlin said.

 

"The ITF is now closely assessing whether it will make a formal complaint to the ILO over possible breaches to the Maritime Labour Convention.

 

"This action has brought Australia into serious disrepute in the international maritime and labour movement while the Australian government appears to have failed its duty of care as a port state operator under the MLC."

 

Australia has cabotage laws which cover trade through domestic ports and the use of both Australian-flagged and Australian-crewed vessels.

 

The Australian senate voted in November to retain these laws yet the government has twice pushed ahead with the issuing of a temporary licence, with crew forced from the CSL Melbourne by up to 70 police officers last Friday.

 

Dave Heindel, chair of the ITF seafarers' section, added: "The Australian government's behaviour has now been raised at the heart of the ILO. That government's  apparent disregard, for its seafarers, national shipping industry and even its own laws, has been exposed at this important international forum. The recent raids on the vessels Portland and Melbourne call out for censure."

 

ITF general secretary Steve Cotton commented: "The heavy-handed, staged raids on these two ships revealed that Australia is failing to abide by the very cabotage laws intended to protect its marine industry. This justified criticism at the ILO reflects the apparent almost suicidal determination by the Australian government to destroy the national shipping capability that is vital for the country's economy, jobs and wellbeing."

 

Abdulgani Serang, general secretary-cum-treasurer of the National Union of Seafarers of India said: "India has cabotage. We have Indian-flagged ships and those are totally manned by Indian seafarers. Likewise we support seafarers working on the national-flagged ships of their countries. The Australian flag has to be for Australian seafarers. In this case our Australian brothers were taken off the ship and replaced by deceit. They were replaced by Indian seafarers, our members, who were deceived and not made aware of what was really going on - that they were replacing Australian seafarers on an Australian-flagged ship in an Australian port. My union has condemned this fraud. We are all for Australian jobs on Australian-flagged vessels. We support the Australian seafarers."

 

ENDS

 

 

 

 

ITF communications: getting the message out - when and where it matters

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This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and then delete it immediately. You should not copy it or use it for any purpose nor disclose its contents to any other person. Any views or opinions expressed within the email are solely those of the sender and do not necessarily represent those of the ITF or the Seafarers' Trust.

Joint press release: IDC and ITF meet to defend dockers' rights

Please find this joint press release attached and below.

Yours,

Sam Dawson

ITF

 

 

 

IDC-ITF joint press statement

 

 

5 February 2016

IDC and ITF meet to defend dockers' rights

Representatives of the International Dockworkers' Council (IDC) and International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) met in Barcelona, Spain, today to explore how to work together to defend dockers' jobs and rights.

 

The one-day meeting agreed the following statement of intent:

 

Representatives of the International Dockworkers' Council (IDC) and International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) meeting in Barcelona today 5th February 2016 have agreed to find ways of working more closely together with the aim of strengthening solidarity between dockworkers' globally and supporting each other in fighting back against attacks on their working terms and conditions, and job security.

 

These common challenges faced by our members are the result of significant changes in maritime transport, and some employers and governments pursuing a neo-liberal agenda characterised by union busting including through automation, the casualisation of jobs and deregulation of labour standards and protections.  Collective agreements are increasingly being violated and we are concerned over health and safety conditions in ports, as well as attempts to limit dockworkers' ability to exercise their trade union rights.

 

We have established a joint committee to develop a strategy and plan actions urgently to tackle the key challenges and issues faced by dockworkers globally.

 

In particular, our organisations will cooperate on:

 

Campaigning and solidarity support to secure and maintain dockworkers' rights internationally, especially in the global terminal operating companies (GNTs); and

 

Managing the impact of automation, securing lashing work and respect for dockworkers' jurisdiction.

 

We anticipate an active and fruitful collaboration between our two organisations to build dockworkers' power around the world.

 

Paddy Crumlin, ITF president and chair of its dockers' section, commented: "This has been a landmark event. Both organisations are now best placed to promote and defend the rights of international dockworkers."

 

Jordi Aragunde, IDC general coordinator, added: "Today's meeting was designed to further our joint efforts to aid and represent dockers worldwide. It is a pleasure to see it result in such concrete outcomes."

 

Torben Seebold, ITF vice chair and ETF (European Transport Workers' Federation) dockers' section vice chair, added: "Dockers do hard and often dangerous work which is rarely given the recognition it deserves. The ITF and IDC are committed to changing that."

 

IDC European zone coordinator Anthony Tetard concluded: "Dockers face common challenges, which demand a united response. Today we have agreed one."

 

ENDS

 

For more details please contact:

 

At the IDC: IDC: Susana Busquets, IDC Secretariat. Email: coordination@idcdockworkers.org. Tel: +34 646 479 590

At the ITF: Sam Dawson, press and editorial manager. Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk. Tel: +44 20 7940 9260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITF communications: getting the message out - when and where it matters

 

www.itfglobal.org 

www.facebook.com/ITFglobal 

Twitter: @itfglobalunion

 

 

This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and then delete it immediately. You should not copy it or use it for any purpose nor disclose its contents to any other person. Any views or opinions expressed within the email are solely those of the sender and do not necessarily represent those of the ITF or the Seafarers' Trust.

ITF: raid on CSL Melbourne a 'national error'

Please find this release attached and below.

Yours,

Sam Dawson

ITF

5 February 2016

ITF: raid on CSL Melbourne a 'national error'

Commenting on the raid on the CSL Melbourne in Newcastle today, ITF seafarers' section chair Dave Heindel said: "This raid was an error of truly national dimensions. The Australian government seems hell-bent on stripping away the very protections that make Australia the nation it is, and in doing so is becoming an international embarrassment in an industry seeking higher standards of governance and accountability."

 

He continued: "Coming on the heels of the dawn raid removal of the crew of the Portland last week, this is another example of the Australian government shooting itself in the foot. It is beginning to look almost like it wants to punish the Australian people, by removing their jobs and national shipping industry in favour of dodging tax and national labour standards."

 

The Melbourne is the latest victim of the undermining of Australia's cabotage protection laws. The ITF has repeatedly made the case for keeping such legislation. As the ITF cabotage taskforce has stated, 47 countries have some form of cabotage law because it is good for their economies. With a thriving maritime industry, people work in good quality jobs, consume goods and boost the economy.

 

Failing to protect cabotage undermines sovereignty and has national security implications. It also has serious economic implications for maritime regions and communities.

 

Mr Heindel is leading the seafarers group at the high level meeting at the ILO in Geneva consolidating the ground-breaking Maritime Labour Convention, 2008 for international seafarers. "This latest debacle from the Australian shipping industry will not be lost on anyone there," he said.

 

For more about how cabotage laws protect skills see http://goo.gl/hzqkgE.

 

ENDS

ITF communications: getting the message out - when and where it matters

www.itfglobal.org 

www.facebook.com/ITFglobal 

Twitter: @itfglobalunion

This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and then delete it immediately. You should not copy it or use it for any purpose nor disclose its contents to any other person. Any views or opinions expressed within the email are solely those of the sender and do not necessarily represent those of the ITF or the Seafarers' Trust.

Press release: LAN and TAM airline workers to strike today in Argentina and Brazil/Hoy paralizan trabajadores/as aeronáuticos de LAN y TAM en Argentina y Brasil

Please find this press release from the ITF LATAM network attached in English and Spanish.

Yours,

Sam Dawson

ITF

3 de febrero de 2016

Hoy paralizan trabajadores/as aeronáuticos de LAN y TAM en Argentina y Brasil

 

·       Los trabajadores y trabajadoras de Brasil votaron la huelga e inician paralización el 3 de febrero.

 

·       Es probable que los paros continúen en Argentina.

 

·       Colombia está negociando mejoras para los trabajadores y trabajadoras y podría sumarse a las acciones en apoyo a la paralización de Argentina y Brasil.

 

Los trabajadores y trabajadoras aeronáuticos de Brasil y Argentina se declaran en huelga para lograr mejores condiciones de trabajo ante la gigante LATAM Airlines Group. La aerolínea ha despedido a líderes sindicales en Perú y en Ecuador sin causas justificadas, y ha realizado cambios en la gestión de procesos y operación que, según los trabajadores y trabajadoras, podrían repercutir sobre las normativas de seguridad de los vuelos.

 

Trabajadores y trabajadoras aeronáuticos de Brasil votaron paro nacional para el 3 de febrero desde las 06:00 a las 08:00 h.  Además, inician en paralelo una campaña de información a los pasajeros para explicarles las razones de la huelga y alertarlos ante las dificultades a las que estarán sometidos durante la movilización.  

 

"La huelga es el último recurso que tenemos para expresar a la empresa la necesidad de valorar y reconocer la labor que realizan los/as profesionales de la aviación.  Nosotros somos responsables de la seguridad de los vuelos y del gran desempeño que logra el sector", explica Sergio Días, presidente de FENTAC / CUT de Brasil.

 

En Argentina los conflictos no están resueltos luego de las paralizaciones.  En enero, los paros convocados apenas duraron un par de horas y detuvieron cerca de una decena de vuelos en los aeropuertos nacionales e internacionales y provocaron además demoras en Chile, Perú, Brasil y Paraguay.  Las huelgas y las asambleas de trabajadores/as convocadas dieron paso a un proceso de negociaciones de conciliación en el que participa el Ministerio de Trabajo de Argentina y que finaliza el 4 de febrero.  Es probable que los paros continúen después del 4 de febrero lo cual multiplicará las cancelaciones y las demoras en la región.

 

Impacto en los vuelos de toda Latinoamérica: Posibles demoras y cancelaciones

 

La huelga en Brasil, sumada a la posible paralización en Argentina, creará la tormenta perfecta para los vuelos de toda la región. Es probable que haya cancelaciones y demoras de vuelos en Buenos Aires (Argentina), Guarulhos y Congonhas (São Paulo), Santos Dumont y Galeão (Rio de Janeiro), Brasília, Porto Alegre, Florianópolis, Curitiba, Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza y Campinas.

 

Los paros afectarán también al transporte de carga en LATAM y a todas las líneas aéreas que tengan combinaciones, en un efecto de cascada debido a la utilización cíclica de las aeronaves en la región.   

 

Argentina es un punto central en la conectividad regional y especialmente crítico en el flujo de carga y pasajeros hacia Brasil.  En cargas, la primera mitad del mes de febrero es un momento crítico en la exportación de flores, en particular en Ecuador y Colombia hacia Norteamérica y Europa.  Cualquier demora afectará su transporte óptimo.

 

El posible que los paros repercutan sobre la seguridad de los/as pasajeros/as

 

Los programas de reducción de costos que LATAM implementa, llamados "despacho remoto", y la reducción de un número significativo de técnicos y despachadores así como otro personal aeronáutico altamente cualificado, pueden dejar en estado crítico la seguridad de las tripulaciones y los pasajeros.  

 

En Ecuador, las tripulaciones de LAN reciben múltiples asignaciones horarias en un día, entrando en conflicto con los descansos mínimos acordados en el país, provocando estrés y fatiga, lo que según los trabajadores y trabajadoras, podría tener consecuencias sobre la seguridad de los vuelos.

 

Es posible que el conflicto se amplíe a Colombia y Ecuador

 

La disputa se podría extender incluyendo a los trabajadores y trabajadoras aeronáuticos de LAN en Colombia.  Hoy 2 de febrero, en Colombia, la aerolínea presentará una propuesta que mejore los salarios y las condiciones de trabajo.   Si el conflicto no se resuelve, existe la posibilidad de que los trabajadores y trabajadoras de LAN en Colombia se sumen a las acciones para respaldar a sus colegas de Brasil y Argentina en huelga.

 

Los trabajadores y trabajadoras de LAN Ecuador permanecen sin contrato a pesar de que llevan años intentando negociar una mejora de sus condiciones con la compañía.  

 

Además, sumando conflictos laborales a la región, la aerolínea despidió a Jimena López, secretaria general de SITA en Ecuador, y a Eiko Murata, dirigente del sindicato del personal de tierra LAN Perú.  Estas dos mujeres líderes sindicales aeronáuticas son pioneras en la organización de los trabajadores en la región.

 

FIN

 

Contacto:

Dina Feller, Coordinadora, Red Sindical Internacional LATAM

Redsindicatoslanytam@gmail.com

+54 9 11 6303 0725

Nancy Arancibia Olivares

Redsindicatoslanytam@gmail.com

+56 9 97434611 

 

 

 

www. organizatelatam.com

Facebook: Red-Latam-ITF -  Twitter: @RedLatam_Itf

 

 

 

 

www. organizatelatam.com

Facebook: Red-Latam-ITF -  Twitter: @RedLatam_Itf

 

 

 

3 February 2016

LAN and TAM airline workers to strike today in Argentina and Brazil

 

·       Aviation workers in Brazil voted to strike on February 3^rd

 

·       Strikes likely to continue in Argentina

 

·       Colombia is negotiating to improve conditions for workers and may join in actions supporting the Brazil and Argentina stoppages

 

Aviation workers from Brazil and Argentina are striking to improve the working conditions at the giant LATAM Airlines Group.  The company has fired union leaders in Peru and Ecuador without cause, and has made cost cutting changes in the operations, that workers believe could potentially affect flight safety standards.

 

In Brazil, civil aviation workers have voted in favour of a national strike starting on the 3rd February from 6am, to 8 am.  Workers are launching a passenger information campaign explaining the reasons for the strike and alerting passengers to the difficulties they will encounter.  

 

"Striking is the last measure we take to express to the company the need to recognize and value our professional skills and qualifications.  We are responsible for flight safety standards and the success of the aviation sector in the region." explains Sergio Dias, President of FENTAC, the Civil Aviation Federation of Brazil.

 

In Argentina, the labour conflicts and strikes have also not been resolved.  In January, strikes of no more than a few hours resulted in delays to more than a dozen flights at the domestic and international airports and created additional delays in Chile, Peru, Brazil and Paraguay.  The strikes and worker assemblies started a legal mediation process involving the Labour Office of Argentina, which will reach its final day on February 4th.  Strikes are likely to continue after February 4th with the effect of multiplying cancellations and delays in the region.

 

Flights to be Impacted Throughout Latin America: Delays and Cancellations likely

 

The strikes in Brazil and Argentina are likely to create a perfect storm across the region. There will likely be delays and cancellations from airports in Buenos Aires and the following Brazilian airports: Guarulhos y Congonhas (São Paulo), Santos Dumont y Galeão (Rio de Janeiro), Brasília, Porto Alegre, Florianópolis, Curitiba, Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza and Campinas.

 

The strikes will affect cargo flights as well as passengers and all airlines which have connections due to the high utilization rate of aircraft in the region.   

 

Argentina is a central connecting point in the region particularly for passenger and cargo flights to and from Brazil.  The first half of February is a critical time for flower exports, particularly from Ecuador and Colombia to North America and Europe.  Delays in delivery affect the quality of floral exports.

 

Strikes are Likely to Impact Passenger Safety

 

LATAM's cost cutting programs include the company's new "remote dispatch" system and numerous reductions in the number of mechanics, dispatchers and other highly skilled aviation workers critical to passenger and cabin crew safety.  

 

In Ecuador, LAN flight crew are being required to work multiple assignments in one day, potentially in conflict with the legal rest limits of the country, resulting in stress and fatigue, with, they believe, possible  safety implications.

 

 

Dispute Likely to Broaden to Include Colombia and Ecuador

 

The dispute may broaden to include Colombian aviation workers.  Today, In Colombia, on Feb 2nd, the company will be providing their response to the aviation workers' unions' efforts to improve wages and conditions.  If the dispute is not resolved, the Colombian workers are likely to take action to support the striking workers in Brazil and Argentina.

 

Aviation workers in LAN Ecuador remain without a contract despite years of attempts to negotiate improved conditions with the company.  

 

Adding to the labour conflicts in the region, the company has fired Jimena Lopez, Secretary General of the aviation union in Ecuador (SITA), and Eiko Murata, leader of the LAN Peru ground staff union.  Both of these female aviation leaders were the founders of the first unions of aviation workers in their areas.

 

END

 

Contact:

Dina Feller, Coordinator, LATAM International Network of Unions

Redsindicatoslanytam@gmail.com

+54 9 11 6303 0725

 

 

www. organizatelatam.com

Facebook: Red-Latam-ITF -  Twitter: @RedLatam_Itf

 

 

ITF communications: getting the message out - when and where it matters

www.itfglobal.org 

www.facebook.com/ITFglobal 

Twitter: @itfglobalunion

This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and then delete it immediately. You should not copy it or use it for any purpose nor disclose its contents to any other person. Any views or opinions expressed within the email are solely those of the sender and do not necessarily represent those of the ITF or the Seafarers' Trust.