Global daily news 26.01.2014



***European air traffic controllers to strike next week
VIENNA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) — Planned strikes by air traffic controllers in several European countries are expected to disrupt flights next week, the Austrian Press Agency (APA) reported Thursday.
The would-be strikers in Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia and Hungary are opposing an European Commission reform plan that might involve austerity measures and job cuts for air traffic controllers in Europe, it said.
The Air Traffic Controllers European Unions Coordination (ATCEUC), comprising 28 unions and 14,000 members, set Wednesday as action day,
while the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) will stage its strike on Thursday.
In Austria, air traffic controllers at all the airports will strike from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (0800 to 1000 GMT) on Thursday, which is likely to cause flight delays and cancellations, APA reported.
German air traffic controllers will strike from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. (0700 to 0800 GMT) on Wednesday, which is expected to affect some 600 flights.
France’s largest air traffic control union SNTCA planned to follow suit from Monday evening to Friday, but the final strike dates are still subject to negotiations with administrative bodies.
In Italy, air traffic controllers will strike on Wednesday and Thursday. In Portugal, strikes will be staged on Wednesday, while in Slovakia and Hungary, strikes will be held on Thursday, according to APA reports.
FROM TRADEWINDS:


***ITF plots arrest

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is looking to arrest a multi-purpose cargoship controlled by Greek operator Derna Carriers on behalf of the vessel’s crew.

The Isis

The organisation claims the owner of the 9,700-dwt Isis (built 2006) owes crewmembers at least $130,000 in back pay.
In a statement ITF said this is why it has initiated arrest proceedings against the ship, which is moored at Tillbury in the UK.
“The decision to arrest the vessel follows the delivery of a written warning to Athens-based company Derna Carriers over its negligence and evasion of its responsibilities,” it added.
ITF UK and Ireland coordinator Ken Fleming claims the situation on board the vessel “is deteriorating by the minute” and says he has encouraged the crew to go home.
“The company’s litany of broken promises has left them feeling that no future exists for them on board the Isis, and they have decided to seek repatriation on the grounds that Derna have clearly breached their employment contracts,” he added.
Derna, which also controls two handysize bulkers that the VesselsValue.com platform believes to be worth approximately $13m in total in today’s market, could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday evening.

FROM LLOYD’S LIST:

***Derna Carriers vessel arrested at Tilbury

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Isis has been detained at Tilbury and its crew have asked to be repatriated, according to the ITF.
ITF says Athens-based owner owes crew more than $130,000 in back pay
MARSHALL Islands-flagged general cargo and container carrier Isis has been arrested at Tilbury, UK, amid claims by the International Transport Workers’ Federation that the crew is owed at least $130,000 in back pay.
The ITF said it initiated arrest proceedings on behalf of the 2006-built, 9,715 dwt vessel’s 20 crew following delivery of a written warning to Athens-based Derna Carriers.
Derna Carriers is the beneficial owner and commercial operator of Isis, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence. It has yet to comment on the matter.
ITF UK and Ireland co-ordinator Ken Fleming said the crew had not been paid since November 1.
On January 3 Derna Carriers emailed the crew stating that all money would be paid by January 7, he said.
According to Mr Fleming, some crew received some payment since January 7, but not in full.
“The situation remains that most of what is owed dating back to November 1 is clearly not forthcoming. This is totally unacceptable,” he said.
“The crew have decided to seek repatriation on the grounds that Derna Carriers have breached their employment contracts.”
Lloyd’s List is awaiting comment from Derna and from the Marshall Islands Maritime and Corporate Administrators.

FROM THE SUR:



Уважаемые моряки, напоминаем вам о мобильном приложении ITF seafarers, которое запустила Международная федерация транспортников (ITF) .
Приложение доступно как для смартфонов на операционной системе IOS и для Андроида.
С помощью этого приложения вы можете узнать информацию про судно, а также найти профсоюз и ITF инспектора который вам нужен. Для этого скачайте и установите это приложение на свой телефон.
Выберите раздел, который вас интересует.
Выберете страну, в которой вы ищите координаты инспектора ITF.
Вы видите список инспекторов ITF и профсоюзов, которые входят в ITF в этой стране.
Выбрав интересующий вас пункт, вы получаете полный список контактных данных.
Также с помощью программы можно получить полную информацию о судне, задав его IMO номер или название: флаг, тип судна, покрыто ли оно договором ITF, а также состав экипажа, его национальность и когда судно посещал инспектор ITF.
Кроме того здесь вы сможете найти много другой, полезной для моряков информации, а также быстро связаться с ITF по телефону или почте всего одним прикосновением.