Union-busting has many forms, and at DP World’s new terminal at the port of London Gateway, dockworkers’ 3-year campaign for union representation has been full of roadblocks by the Dubai-based employer. Now at a critical juncture, longshore workers around the world are encouraged to send messages of support and help London dockers secure a decent CBA.
ITF Dockers Section Vice Chair and ILWU International Vice President Ray Familathe said, “It was wrong for DP World to build a terminal and fail to recognize the dockworkers’ union. DP World just reported $883 million in profits for 2015, yet they’re denying their U.K. workers the human right of collective bargaining. That’s shameful, and dockworkers around the world support their brothers and sisters in London who risk their lives on the docks every day.”
Since opening in 2013 Unite the union has been campaigning for a collective bargaining agreement so that workers can negotiate with management on important workplace issues like occupational health and safety, breaks and pay.
Management has made it clear they don’t support the workers’ collective bargaining rights, and DP World may now try to force an unnecessary ballot to try to avoid having to make an agreement.
The ITF is asking that all longshore workers worldwide please take these actions now, which is a critical turning point in the campaign:
- Show London Gateway workers they’re not alone by sending a message of support to Steve Biggs at: uniteatlondongateway@gmail.com.
- Share this page now on social media to spread the word with your own friends and contacts.
Thank you for your show of support, and please share this story with others.
DP World terminal at London Gateway