http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/2615

ILWU dockers back striking crew

26 September 2008

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Crew members on the Liberian flagged Cap Spencer were able to call off a strike in Long Beach this week after winning all their demands with the help of local dockworkers.

The crew contacted ITF inspector Stefan Mueller-Dombois, asking for help with wages and working conditions problems. As requested, he put them in touch with the authorities and also alerted fellow ILWU members that there were problems onboard.

Unable to resolve their problems the crew called a strike on Tuesday, which they announced by holding up notices saying ‘On Strike’ and ‘Low Wages and Conditions’. The dockers offloading the ship recognised these as a legitimate picket line, ceased operations and disembarked the vessel. Later that day with the ITF and ILWU’s help the crew were able to secure back wages, letters of indemnity and an ITF-approved Verdi agreement.

ILWU International Affairs Director Ray Familathe commented: "This sends a clear message that ILWU dockworkers support the efforts of seafarers to join unions and better their working conditions."

“Longshoremen from the ILWU well know that solidarity between seafarers and dockworkers is the way to stamp out union busting on the docks and the ships that seafarers work on. With the many attacks on maritime labour in this global economy, a union that gives solidarity today may be in need of solidarity tomorrow.”

Stefan Mueller-Dombois described the result as significant and satisfying and asked his colleagues in New Zealand and Australia to check that all was well on the vessel when it reached its next ports of call.