***De Blasio goes global, telling Britain's Labour Party that income inequality 'is the issue of our time'

In a speech at the party’s annual convention in Manchester, England, New York’s mayor touted his progressive agenda and compared his come-from-behind mayoral bid to Labour’s underdog effort to retake control of the British government: ‘Your agenda is a blueprint of what a fairer ... stronger United Kingdom will look like. That is not only why you must win, it is why you will win!’

BY Erin Durkin

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LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images Best mates? New York Mayor de Blasio, left, and British Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, right, greet delegates at the party's convention in Manchester on Wednesday.

Taking his progressive agenda to the world stage, Mayor de Blasio told a Labour Party conference in Britain on Wednesday that the problem of income inequality is “the issue of our time.”

Repeatedly invoking his own unlikely journey from longshot to mayor, de Blasio told the party it can regain control of Britain’s government by following his lead with a bold attack on economic disparities.

“I’ve talked a lot about the inequality crisis. I’ve said that for New York City, I think it’s the issue of our time. I think it’s the issue of our time throughout the globe,” he said.

The 45-minute speech was de Blasio’s latest gambit to forge a role as a national and even global leader of progressive causes.

It followed by a day his address to the United Nations Climate Summit, and speeches earlier this year in such places as Texas, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

De Blasio also has formed a group of American mayors dedicated to pursuing progressive economic policies, and he’s angling for New York City to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

De Blasio took an overnight flight from New York, spent several hours in Manchester, where he headlined the Labour Party’s annual conference, and then headed home.

He cited statistics that portrayed Britain’s income divide in stark terms.

“Distinct histories of our two nations written on opposite ends of an ocean leave us, at this moment, facing essentially the exact same crisis — and that underscores what we’re up against, the immense scale of the problem,” he said. “But you have the power to overcome it.”

LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images Besides speaking to Britain's Labour Party, Mayor de Blasio this week addressed the United Nations, indicating possible aspirations of becoming a global spokesman for progressive causes.

De Blasio’s keynote address was a call to arms for Labour after its prime minister candidate, Ed Miliband, who spoke on Tuesday, was criticized for failing to deliver key parts of his speech.

De Blasio "did well in the room. Equality is not just an issue in the U.K., it is all over the world,” said Thomas Lydon, 22, a youth delegate from Stroud. "The people are ready for the message. They want to hear it, but we need to tell them."

Austin Mitchell, a Labour member of Paliament since 1977, sounded a dissenting note.

“Shocking!!!Bill DeBlasio rudely reminds Labour that politics is about class war.Brilliant speech but totally out of place for Labour!” he tweeted.

The mayor cast the push for economic policies that ease the strain on struggling poor and working people in lofty, moral terms.

“It can feel like a burden: the exasperation that comes from knowing the gravity of this threat, knowing there’s a generation at risk of being forsaken — and at a time when so many seem unwilling to act,” he said.

“You are on the right side of history. The right side of history can feel like a lonely place. But I assure you it’s not a truly lonely place. It never has been.”

And he castigated unnamed enemies of progress.

SUZANNE PLUNKETT/REUTERS Chin up, New York Mayor de Blasio told Labour Party members Wednesday in Manchester, England

“People see over and over again that some people, a small group of people, small in number but oversized in power, people who benefit from the status quo, people who work hard to maintain it, well, their voices seem louder than the voices of all of the rest of us,” he said.

De Blasio did not cross paths with the International Transport Workers Federation, which criticized his plan to ban horse drawn carriages ahead of his arrival in England and said they hoped to meet with him.

He offered up a campaign slogan of sorts for Miliband, saying he’ll be “a prime minister for Britons with second jobs, not just those with second homes.”

De Blasio recalled his own victory in the mayoral race when, he said, “there were other candidates who were better known; they also espoused ideas that were seen as more politically practical, closer to the status quo” - and touted achievements including expanding prekindergarten and striking a contract with the teachers’ union.

“It was never my intention to nibble around the edges with policies of timid maintenance. I ran to take dead aim at the crisis of our time,” he said.

De Blasio also met privately with British officials, gave interviews with British media — and, after his speech, stopped for a pint at a local pub, according to a tweet posted by the bar Britons Protection.

With Barry Keevins in Manchester, England

***I say, old chap, do spare the horses

Jennifer Fermino

142 words

24 September 2014

New York Daily News

NYDN

SPORTS FINAL REPLATE

12

English

© 2014 Daily News, New York. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights reserved.

EVEN OVERSEAS, Mayor de Blasio can't escape opposition to his unpopular plan to ban the city's horse-carriage industry.

A large British union came out swinging Tuesday for the city's horse-drawn carriages, and plans to confront the mayor on the issue when he visits Manchester, England on Wednesday.

The International Transport Workers Federation sent the City Council a letter asking it to support the drivers.

"The carriages of New York are part of what makes it a global capital," the letter said. De Blasio will be the star speaker at the annual conference of Britain's Labor Party.

Members of the federation will raise the carriage ban with de Blasio at the conference, the union said. New York's carriage drivers are represented by the Teamsters union.

FROM IHS

***Court rejects compensation claim by ECT

A Rotterdam court has rejected a compensation claim from Europe Container Terminals (ECT). According to ECT, the building of two competing terminals on the new Maasvlakte 2 port extension would result in overcapacity and it demanded compensation equivalent to $1.15Bn.

The court ruled that the port authority had not acted illegally in promoting more competition between container handling companies. “In addition [the authority] has taken steps to limit the damaging consequences of that overcapacity,” the Dutch-language court ruling stated.

ECT had demanded compensation unless the port met the Chinese-owned box operator’s demands that the launch of container operations at Maasvlakte 2 be delayed and that ECT also is released from the obligation to help fund the widening of the Amazonhaven channel, the access channel for ECT terminals.

The two container terminals at Maasvlakte 2 – currently being built by consortia led by APM Terminals and DP World – will be highly automated. The court ruling prompted a warning by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) which fears a loss of quayside jobs when the two terminals come into operation. “[Negotiations] must cover areas such as job creation, job stability and sustainability. Without that process, the future of one of the world’s busiest and most successful ports…will be put at risk,” the ITF said in a statement.

FROM WORLD CARGO NEWS:

***ECT loses court case

The Rotterdam court has rejected ECT’s claim for a minimum of €900M of damages entered against the Rotterdam port authority

The court has today (24 September) ruled that in granting the Maasvlakte II concessions (to APM Terminals  and Rotterdam World Gateway), the Rotterdam port authority (HbR) did not misuse its power, or act in any way unlawfully by promoting extra competition between container terminals.

The court observed that occurrence of temporary overcapacity, with the commissioning of the MVII terminals is "inevitable" and concluded that HbR has served the "port’s long term interest with its policy" [on MVII]. "In addition, the HbR took measures to curb the negative effects of this overcapacity.”

The ruling continues: “ECT was not denied a fair chance in the Maasvlakte II tendering procedure. The court has not assessed that ECT was given firm promises [by HbR] that were not lived up to. The conditions of agreements struck between ECT and the HbR are not less favourable than those struck with the two [new] competitors [at MVII]."

In a first reaction, ECT told WorldCargo News that it is "extremely disappointed" with the ruling. “This doesn’t solve the problems in the port of Rotterdam. It doesn’t take anything forward,” said a spokesman. He could not yet say whether ECT will appeal the ruling.

However, the ITF reacted quickly to the court decision. Paddy Crumlin, ITF president and chair of the ITF dockers’ section, stated: “This decision should not be taken as a green light to expansion without dialogue. There is a clear need for discussion around a phased implementation of Maasvlakte II.

"That must include a dialogue involving all stakeholders, including the representative workers’ union, FNV Havens, and it must cover areas such as job creation, job stability and sustainability. Without that process, the future of one of the world’s busiest and most successful ports – and one with a record of good labour relations – will be put at risk.”

ITF's main concern is loss of jobs at ECT as traffic migrates to the automated MVII terminals.

ECT initiated the action against HBR in December 2011 and proceedings opened in July this year. For previous reports, see:

http://www.worldcargonews.com/htm/w20111216.699549.htm

http://www.worldcargonews.com/htm/w20140701.224989.htm

FROM NIEUWSBLAD TRANSPORT (NETHERLANDS):

***ECT verliest zaak om megaclaim

24 september 2014

Containerstuwadoor ECT heeft de rechtszaak tegen Havenbedrijf Rotterdam verloren. Het Havenbedrijf hoeft geen schadevergoeding te betalen.

Dit heeft de rechtbank in Rotterdam woensdagochtend bepaald.

Die vindt dat het Havenbedrijf geen misbruik heeft gemaakt van een economische machtspositie. ECT had de zaak aangespannen omdat het vreesde grote schade te zullen lijden als gevolg van de opening van de twee nieuwe terminals van RWG en APMT op Maasvlakte 2. Het bedrijf koppelde daar een claim van meer dan een miljard euro aan.

Volgens de rechtbank zijn ‘er geen feiten of omstandigheden gesteld of gebleken die de conclusie zouden kunnen rechtvaardigen dat Havenbedrijf Rotterdam jegens ECT misbruik heeft gemaakt van een economische machtpositie, wanprestatie heeft gepleegd, of onrechtmatig heeft gehandeld of nagelaten. Het Havenbedrijf mocht een beleid voeren dat was gericht op het bevorderen van het ontstaan van meer concurrentie tussen containeroverslagbedrijven in de Rotterdamse haven.’

In een eerste reactie zegt het Havenbedrijf dat het ervan overtuigd was dat steeds correct is gehandeld en dat de verschillende terminal operators gelijk behandeld zijn. ‘We hebben het altijd betreurd dat deze kwestie tot een rechtszaak heeft geleid. We hopen dat, nu deze duidelijke uitspraak er ligt, we dit boek snel kunnen sluiten en samen met ECT en de overige stakeholders onze energie kunnen besteden aan het versterken van de concurrentiepositie van Rotterdam.’

De rechter heeft alle claims van ECT van de hand gewezen. De stuwadoor eiste onder meer vernietiging van de concessie van RWG, schadevergoeding wegens het creëren van ‘disproportionele overcapaciteit’, nietigverklaring van de bonus-malusregeling van RWG en APMT voor het aanbrengen van nieuwe lading en terugbetaling van de kosten van de verbreding van de Amazonehaven.

In een eerste reactie noemt ECT-woordvoerder Rob Bagchus de uitspraak ‘zeer teleurstellend en onverwacht’. Het containerbedrijf kan nog niet zeggen of er hoger beroep wordt ingesteld: ‘Daarvoor moet we eerst het vonnis bestuderen’. In een persbericht laat het bedrijf weten dat hiermee een oplossing van de problemen in de Rotterdamse containeroverslagsector niet dichterbij komt. ‘Maasvlakte 2 zal Maasvlakte 1 kannibaliseren, met als gevolg leegstand en een fors verlies aan arbeidsplaatsen’, heet het.

ECT blijft van mening dat afspraken en toezeggingen niet zijn nagekomen en dat uitgangspunten en spelregels zijn veranderd. ‘Het gevolg is dat ECT enorme schade oploopt.’ Volgens het bedrijf leidt de uitbreiding van de capaciteit met zo’n 50% extra overslagcapaciteit tot ‘grote economische en sociale problemen, die zich gaan voordoen op de Eerste Maasvlakte’.

Volgens ECT is dat in tegenstelling met de afspraken die Rijk en gemeente hebben gemaakt bij de besluitvorming over de Tweede Maasvlakte. ’De nieuwe Maasvlakte zou worden aangelegd om te voldoen aan de toekomstige vraag naar ruimte en voor nieuw volume’.

Bestuurder Niek Stam van FNV Bondgenoten noemt de beslissing van de rechter ‘geen goede uitspraak’. ‘Dit betekent dat het voorspelde sociale bloedbad er ook echt komt. De rechter heeft daar blijkbaar maling aan’. De bond vindt dat het Havenbedrijf dat moet voorkomen. Hij wil dat oudere werknemers bij ECT nog maar 50% van de tijd gaan werken om banenverlies te voorkomen. Het Havenbedrijf zou dan een deel van de kosten moeten betalen.

Dat plan wordt volgens hem gesteund door de internationale transportvakbond ITF, die daarover een brief naar topman Allard Castelein van het Havenbedrijf heeft gestuurd. RWG heeft volgens hem een soortgelijke brief ontvangen, omdat dat bedrijf weigert om een cao af te sluiten.

GOOGLE TRANSLATION:

ECT thing to lose mega claim
September 24, 2014
Container Stevedoring ECT has lost its lawsuit against the Port Authority. The Port Authority does not have to pay. No compensation
This has the court in Rotterdam Wednesday determined.
Who believes that the Port Authority is not an abuse of a dominant position. ECT had filed the case because it feared it would suffer due to the opening of two new terminals on Maasvlakte 2 RWG and APMT wreak The company did qualify a claim of more than one billion euros.

According to the court, "there are no facts or circumstances or put in evidence that would justify the conclusion that the Port of Rotterdam ECT against an abuse of a dominant position, breach has been committed, or acted unlawfully or failed. The Port Authority should pursue a policy which was aimed at promoting the development of greater competition between container terminals in the port of Rotterdam. "

In a first reaction, the Port Authority says it was convinced that more is acted correctly and that the various terminal operators are treated equally. "We have always regretted that this issue has caused. Until a lawsuit We hope that we can close the book quickly now there is this clear statement, and together with ECT and other stakeholders our energy to devote to strengthening the competitive position of Rotterdam. "

The judge has all the claims of ECT rejected. The stevedore demanded include destruction of the franchise RWG, damages for the creation of "disproportionate excess capacity ', the annulment of the bonus-malus scheme RWG and APMT for applying new cargo and reimbursement of the cost of widening the Amazon Haven.

In a first reaction ECT spokesman Rob Bagchus called the ruling "very disappointing and unexpected." The container company can not yet say whether an appeal is brought, "For this we must first study the judgment." In a press release, the company has announced that this will solve the problems in the container sector of Rotterdam does not come closer. 'Maasvlakte Maasvlakte 2 will cannibalize one, resulting vacancy and a substantial loss of jobs, "it is called.

ECT continues to believe that agreements and commitments have not been fulfilled and that principles and rules of the game have changed. "The result is that ECT incur enormous damage." According to the company, the expansion of capacity by some 50% extra throughput capacity will lead to "major economic and social problems that will arise on the First Maasvlakte.

According ECT is that unlike with the agreements between the Government and the municipality have made in the decision of the Second Maasvlakte. "The new Maasvlakte would be constructed to meet the future demand for space for new volume.

Director of FNV Niek Stam calls the court's decision "is not a good statement." "This means that the predicted social carnage there really is. The judge has since apparently a damn about. "The union believes that the Port Authority should avoid. He wants older workers at ECT only 50% of the time to work to prevent job losses. The Port Authority would have to pay. Part of the cost

That plan, according to him, supported by the international transport union ITF, which shall provide a letter to CEO Allard Castelein the Port Authority has sent. RWG according to him received a similar letter, because the company refuses to exit. Collective agreements

FROM CAPITAL NEW YORK:

***HORSE DEBATE FOLLOWS DE BLASIO TO MANCHESTER -- Capital's Gloria Pazmino: Leaders of the International Transport Workers Federation— which is closely aligned with the Labour Party, sent a letter to the City Council asking members to oppose the mayor's proposed ban on the carriage horses. According to the letter, Unite, an I.T.F.-affiliated union, plans “to raise the issue with de Blasio when he attends the Labour Party conference in Manchester today.” Neither the mayor's office nor the Council would comment on the letter. http://bit.ly/ZcsjQ9

FROM SEAFARER TIMES (PHILIPPINES):

***Agreement marks new era for dockers in Morocco

Submitted by Helmsman on Thu, 09/25/2014 - 07:26

Agreement marks new era for dockers in Morocco
24 Sept 2014 received via email

‘Dynamic economic and social objectives’ are the aim of a new collective bargaining agreement just made between an ITF-affiliated union in the Port of Tangiers, Morocco and global network terminal operator APM Terminals (APMT).

The agreement follows two years of ‘difficult’ negotiations between the Moroccan National Union of Port Workers and the local APMT management, accompanied by an international campaign supported by ITF dockers’ unions worldwide.

ITF Arab World regional secretary Bilal Malkawi welcomed the news as a new era for industrial relations in the Port of Tangiers saying: “This agreement hasn’t been easily won, there has been a long struggle leading up to this point. The union has fought hard during negotiations and the result is a positive one. We hope this is a signal of a new way forward for relations between the union and management.

“This is an opportunity for all parties to be transparent and open and fair. That kind of approach is good for business, good for customers and good for workers. Everybody wins.”

The agreement lays out a commitment to social dialogue from both sides and respect for trade union rights and labour laws. Other stipulations include time and pay to participate in union activities and improvements around working conditions, health and safety, wages and training and promotion systems.

Said El Hairech is general secretary of the Moroccan National Union of Port Workers, part of the national UMT trade union centre (Union des Syndicats UMT des Transports). He was previously wrongly imprisoned for charges linked to his trade union activities and was only freed following a groundswell of support from dockers’ unions worldwide. He commented: “This CBA embodies what we want, dynamic economic and social objectives. Moving forward we need to establish controls and good governance for social dialogue and the respect of sector standards. The union and management are working towards a common goal here: ambitious economic expansion in the framework of a common perspective on social responsibility.

“Our members have stayed strong throughout this struggle, but we wouldn’t be celebrating the success we are today without the support of the UMT, the ITF, particularly the Arab World office, and the support of hundreds of dockers’ unions. They’ve all contributed to this victory.”

***ITF sounds warning after Rotterdam port verdict

Submitted by Helmsman on Thu, 09/25/2014 - 07:24

ITF sounds warning after Rotterdam port verdict
24 September 2014 received via email
I
The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) has warned that today’s written decision by the Rechtbank Rotterdam court – which found in favour of the city’s Port Authority – should not lead to two terminals at the port’s new Maasvlakte 2 site being rushed prematurely into operation.

The court case had been brought against the authority by port operator Europe Container Terminals (ECT).

Paddy Crumlin, ITF president and chair of the ITF dockers’ section, explained: “This decision should not be taken as a green light to expansion without dialogue. There is a clear need for discussion around a phased implementation of Maasvlakte 2. That must include a dialogue involving all stakeholders, including the representative workers’ union, FNV Havens, and it must cover areas such as job creation, job stability and sustainability. Without that process, the future of one of the world’s busiest and most successful ports – and one with a record of good labour relations – will be put at risk.”

FROM SHIPPING TRIBUNE, BUNKERPORTS NEWS, PORTWINGS:

***ITF sounds warning after Rotterdam port verdict

Posted on September 25, 2014 by admin

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation)  has warned that today’s written decision by the  Rechtbank Rotterdam court – which found in favour of the city’s Port Authority – should not lead to two terminals at the port’s new Maasvlakte 2 site being rushed prematurely into operation.

The court case had been brought against the authority by port operator Europe Container Terminals (ECT).

Paddy Crumlin, ITF president and chair of the ITF dockers’ section, explained: “This decision should not be taken as a green light to expansion without dialogue. There is a clear need for discussion around a phased implementation of Maasvlakte 2. That must include a dialogue involving all stakeholders, including the representative workers’ union, FNV Havens, and it must cover areas such as job creation, job stability and sustainability. Without that process, the future of one of the world’s busiest and most successful ports – and one with a record of good labour relations – will be put at risk.”

FROM INTERNATIONAL ROAD TRANSPORT UNION (IRU):

***IRU and global taxi trade unions voice concerns on illegal ride-sharing

FROM PORTWINGS (INDIA):

***Agreement marks new era for dockers in Morocco

September 25, 2014

FROM MTWTU:

*** В Варне прошло заседание ЧРП

8-9 сентября в Варне состоялось  очередное заседание Черноморского регионального проекта ITF, направленного на борьбу с субстандартным судоходством в Чёрном море. Представители морских профсоюзов прибрежных государств: Украины, России, Грузии, Турции, Болгарии, Румынии, а также братских  профсоюзов Франции и Израиля под председательством Секретариата ITF подвели итоги Недели действий,  проводимой с 26 по 30 мая этого года в портах Черного моря, обсудили актуальные вопросы по реализации проекта и согласовали стратегию дальнейших совместных действий.

GOOGLE TRANSLATION:

In Varna hosted a meeting of the VFD

chrp2014

8-9 September in Varna, a regular meeting of the Black Sea regional project ITF, designed to combat substandard shipping in the Black Sea. Representatives of the maritime unions coastal states: Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, as well as fraternal trade unions in France and Israel, under the chairmanship of the Secretariat summarized the ITF week of action undertaken from 26 to 30 May this year in the Black Sea ports, discussed current issues for the project and agreed on a strategy for future joint actions.

FROM ENP NEWSWIRE:

***SOAS - Laleh Khalili ESRC Grant

246 words

22 September 2014

ENP Newswire

ENPNEW

English

(c) 2014, Electronic News Publishing. All Rights Reserved.

Release date - 19092014

Laleh Khalili, Professor of Middle East Politics has secured GBP633,870 from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to explore the development of cities, infrastructures, ports and transport in the Middle East and Gulf states.

Military Mobilities and Mobilising Movements in the Middle East will examine the role of war, trade and commerce, and struggles over citizenship and labour rights in the making of ports, transport infrastructure, and shipping in the Middle East. The research project aims to provide a socio-historical account of the emergence of the technologically grand projects of harbour-dredging, port-building, shipping and the accumulation of capital in transport -and aims to trace the role of migrant workers, military logistics personnel, finance and insurance brokers, and local and faraway powers in these ventures. Khalili is the Principle Investigator (PI) and will be supported by a postdoctoral researcher.

Laleh who has previously researched the US military, will use this knowledge with a special focus on mobilities, military supply chains, and logistics in this project. This will also help to form a ‘map’ of interactions and partnerships between the US military, private firms and local regimes. The project aims to work alongside International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), and draw on the expertise of various other organisation that focus on migrant labour, monitoring of defence spending, and environmental sustainability of transport.

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