The Swedish Dockworkers Union Svenska Hamnarbetarförbundet will participate in a European strike against deregulation on 6 Nov., despite legal threats from the Swedish port owners association which obtained an injunction against a “political” stoppage.
Unions affiliated to the International Dockworkers Council plan strikes against the recent decision by the European Parliament’s Committee for Regional Policiy, Transport and Tourism to endorse the “Ports Package” proposed by the European Commission.
Article 6.5 enables service operators to employ staff of their choice (irrespective of international, community or national legislation), and Article 11 provides the right to “self handling” (cargo handling by seafarers). Both undermine the status of dockers throughout Europe.
The IDC has called for 24 hour stoppages to begin at first shift next Tuesday. Affiliates in Greece, France, Spain, Portugal, Madeira, and Ilha Terceira are expected to participate. Short stoppages are anticipated in Portuguese ports whilst other dockers intend the full action.
When the Hamnarbetarförbundet gave due notice of their 24 hour strike plans, the port owners association Sveriges Hamnar immediately obtained an injunction declaring it an illegal political strike, rather than a (legal) industrial action to influence the contract. Sveriges Hamnar declared their intention to sue for compensation of all loss of income and revenues their members might incur as a result.
The Hamnarbetarförbundet scaled down its plans to a 2 hour stoppage, but the employers still intend to go to court.
The strike remains on, despite the legal threat, and will affect all major ports in Sweden.
At a rank & file level dockers belonging to the ITF-affiliated Transport Workers Union are expected to react sympathetically to their Hamnarbetarförbundet colleagues, who participated in an ITF “Action Day” in September.
The Swedish Dockworkers Union does not categorically oppose investment by private capital, or competition to promote short sea shipping. The union is resisting imposed legislation which it considers as designed for and by ship owners and shippers to destroy their livelihood.
Most Swedish ports are now municipally owned, with integrated service operations. Stevedoring had previously been privately run, but when containerisation and ro-ro handling developed in the ‘70s the owners (mostly shippers and ship owners) declined to invest in new facilities and plant. The local authorities then took over cargo handling. The union considers the ports to be well-run efficient, integrated operations which must not be broken into smaller uneconomic units.
The Swedish Dockworkers Union played a leading industrial role in solidarity with the Liverpool dockers, whose international battle against lockout inspired the formation of the IDC.
