Santos terminals await protests as court breaks stevedore monopoly on docker assignments
SANTOS, Brazil – A local court has ruled that the power to appoint so-called casual dockworkers should be transferred from their trade union to a dedicated labor pool from the end of the month.
The union said it would appeal Tuesday’s decision to a federal labor court in the capital Brasilia. The situation has remained calm in the port, Latin America’s busiest, and operations were not disrupted today.
The court decision effectively breaks the union monopoly enjoyed by stevedores for the past 70 years. A similar decision provoked a strike in Rio de Janeiro last month, but a compromise was later found to resume operations.
Terminal officials in Santos are expecting disruptions, despite the current calm.
“There will be a reaction from the unions in Santos as well. I don’t know when, but there will be one,” said Hans Peter Zint, operations director at Santos Brasil, the port’s main container terminal.
Union members were meeting Wednesday morning, but their leader had previously said he would appeal to a higher court in Brasilia. Nevertheless, officials at the labor pool, known by the acronym OGMO, are expecting no further delay and are looking forward to assuming their new responsibilities on Nov.27.
“We are ready for it,” an OGMO spokesman said.
Trade unions have fiercely resisted the transfer of power to appoint casual workers, although the transfer was included in a law passed seven years ago.
Previous demonstrations have degenerated in acts of violence.
“We can’t be absolutely sure that everything will be OK, because a lot of workers do not accept such changes,” the OGMO spokesman said.
