The new project enlists the power of trade unions to fight back against the deal, which has been negotiated in virtual secrecy by the European Union and 22 other countries.
The campaign will help unions prove the danger to rights, conditions and democracy posed by TiSA – by bringing together all the information needed to fight it in one place: www.tisameanstrouble.org
It’s the fifth congress of the European arm of the ITF – the theme this time around is “Fair Transport for Europe – social justice, solidarity, unity.”
‘On behalf of all ITF seafarers’ affiliated unions and their members, the ITF seafarers’ section wants to express its support to the Spanish dockers’ unions and their fight against the liberalisation of the Spanish port system following the royal decree adopted by the Spanish Parliament.
Almost 1.5 million maritime workers from 148 countries are represented by ITF unions.
The reforms aim to reduce labour rights, deregulate labour relations and increase outsourcing. They may weaken collective agreements and reduce the economic resources of trade unions.
The tanker experienced major engine problems on 20 September 2016 and was detained by the US Coast Guard for repairs. When the owner, NewLead, couldn’t pay for them, Nataxis, the bank that owned the mortgage, took the ship over and put it up for sale.
Around 300 activists met in Cape Town, South Africa, 5 and 6 June 2017, for the ITF union-led dockers' and seafarers' section conferences.
It comes in the wake of double murder findings by the NSW Coroner investigating the deaths of two foreign seafarers aboard the (FOC) MV Sage Sagittarius in Australian waters in 2012. A third crew member was found dead in the vessel’s coal loader when it arrived in Japan.
He told the conference that the ITF was deeply involved in the ILC’s critical themes – green jobs, labour migration, fundamental principles and rights at work, and the transition to peace.
