Global daily news 18.10.2014

ITF complains to Jordanian govt over Aqaba port arrests

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) has contacted the government of Jordan over the arrests on Tuesday of around 150 trade unionists at the Aqaba Container Terminals facility run by APM Terminals.
The port workers had begun a strike on Monday which the police action appears to have been designed to break. Strikebreakers are reportedly being brought in from outside the country. The arrested workers, who included several union leaders, were later released.
The ITF’s Arab World office has raised the matter with the country’s government, and ITF general secretary Steve Cotton has written to its Prime Minister, stating:
I am writing to you once again with regard to the current dispute at the Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) operated by the global company APM Terminals, which has led to our affiliate the General Union of Port Workers taking strike action. This followed the stalemate in negotiations over the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement. These negotiations have been ongoing for months – the agreement should have been renewed in June.
I am shocked to learn that a country such as Jordan, with such a robust democratic tradition has allowed interference by the police forces in a labour dispute
I would like to re-emphasize that the members of the General Union of Port Workers are professionals and proud of the work that they do, both for the benefit of their company and their nation’s economy. They understand the implications of the strike. However, unfortunately, they felt forced into this situation given the management’s position on good faith negotiations.
Given the potentially severe consequences of the police intervention and permission by the ACT management, I am requesting that you intervene in this dispute immediately to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. The ITF is hopeful that a resolution can be achieved with your support and guidance.
The ITF will continue to call for answers from the government and APMT at how the police came to be involved in an industrial dispute, and for urgent measures to resolve the dispute.
Source: ITF
FROM REBANADAS DE REALIDAD (ARGENTINA):
ITF critica el despido de líder de aviación
Rebanadas de Realidad - ITF, Londres, 16/10/14.- La Red LATAM de la ITF (Federación Internacional de los Trabajadores del Transporte) ha criticado como "totalmente político" el despido de una líder sindical de la compañía aérea LAN Ecuador, y promete acciones para apoyarla.
El pasado martes, LAN Ecuador, que forma parte del conglomerado grupo LATAM, despidió a Jimena López de sus funciones como tripulante de cabina. Ella es la Secretaria General y fundadora de SITA (Sindicato de Trabajadores de Aerolane).
Gabriel Mocho, Secretario de la Sección de Aviación Civil de la ITF, comentó: "Este último despido injustificado parece ser abiertamente político. Creemos que se trata de un intento por parte de la subsidiaria local del Grupo LATAM para acosar o incluso destruir a este sindicato, lo que es potencialmente contrario a la legislación nacional. Esperamos que el Grupo LATAM resuelva esta situación y las autoridades nacionales reaccionen en consecuencia".
"Desde su fundación, SITA es afiliado a la ITF y Jimena es un miembro muy valioso y respetado por ambas organizaciones, muy conocida por defender los derechos laborales y de las mujeres. La ITF ha organizado una red que reúne a los sindicatos representantes de los/as trabajadores/as de LATAM en distintos países, quienes han expresaron una profunda preocupación que una vez más, LATAM pueda atacar a los/as trabajadores/as y a sus sindicatos, algo que pensábamos que era cosa del pasado. Los afiliados de la ITF se están reuniendo para planificar acciones en apoyo a Jimena y luchar contra las maniobras antisindicales de LAN y TAM en Ecuador y en toda la región".
The ITF is a global union federation that represents around five million transport workers in nearly 700 trade unions in 150 countries worldwide. El presente material se publica en Rebanadas por gentileza de Sam Dawson, Oficial de prensa de la ITF.

FROM SEAFARER TIMES (PHILIPPINES):



ITF complains to Jordanian govt over Aqaba port arrests
ITF complains to Jordanian govt over Aqaba port arrests
16 October 2014 received via email
The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) has contacted the government of Jordan over the arrests on Tuesday of around 150 trade unionists at the Aqaba Container Terminals facility run by APM Terminals.
The port workers had begun a strike on Monday which the police action appears to have been designed to break. Strikebreakers are reportedly being brought in from outside the country. The arrested workers, who included several union leaders, were later released.
The ITF’s Arab World office has raised the matter with the country’s government, and ITF general secretary Steve Cotton has written to its Prime Minister, stating:
I am writing to you once again with regard to the current dispute at the Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) operated by the global company APM Terminals, which has led to our affiliate the General Union of Port Workers taking strike action. This followed the stalemate in negotiations over the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement. These negotiations have been ongoing for months – the agreement should have been renewed in June.
I am shocked to learn that a country such as Jordan, with such a robust democratic tradition has allowed interference by the police forces in a labour dispute
I would like to re-emphasize that the members of the General Union of Port Workers are professionals and proud of the work that they do, both for the benefit of their company and their nation’s economy. They understand the implications of the strike. However, unfortunately, they felt forced into this situation given the management’s position on good faith negotiations.
Given the potentially severe consequences of the police intervention and permission by the ACT management, I am requesting that you intervene in this dispute immediately to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. The ITF is hopeful that a resolution can be achieved with your support and guidance.
The ITF will continue to call for answers from the government and APMT at how the police came to be involved in an industrial dispute, and for urgent measures to resolve the dispute.
FROM SHIPPING TRIBUNE (INDIA):
ITF complains to Jordanian govt over Aqaba port arrests
The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) has contacted the government of Jordan over the arrests on Tuesday of around 150 trade unionists at the Aqaba Container Terminals facility run by APM Terminals.
The port workers had begun a strike on Monday which the police action appears to have been designed to break. Strikebreakers are reportedly being brought in from outside the country. The arrested workers, who included several union leaders, were later released.
The ITF’s Arab World office has raised the matter with the country’s government, and ITF general secretary Steve Cotton has written to its Prime Minister, stating:
I am writing to you once again with regard to the current dispute at the Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) operated by the global company APM Terminals, which has led to our affiliate the General Union of Port Workers taking strike action. This followed the stalemate in negotiations over the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement. These negotiations have been ongoing for months – the agreement should have been renewed in June.
I am shocked to learn that a country such as Jordan, with such a robust democratic tradition has allowed interference by the police forces in a labour dispute
I would like to re-emphasize that the members of the General Union of Port Workers are professionals and proud of the work that they do, both for the benefit of their company and their nation’s economy. They understand the implications of the strike. However, unfortunately, they felt forced into this situation given the management’s position on good faith negotiations.
Given the potentially severe consequences of the police intervention and permission by the ACT management, I am requesting that you intervene in this dispute immediately to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. The ITF is hopeful that a resolution can be achieved with your support and guidance.
The ITF will continue to call for answers from the government and APMT at how the police came to be involved in an industrial dispute, and for urgent measures to resolve the dispute.