Calling for solidarity action for Hong Kong Dock workers strike

Calling for solidarity action for Hong Kong Dock workers strike
 HKCTU <hkctu@hkctu.org.hk>
Date: Sat, Apr 20, 2013 at 8:47 AM
Subject: Calling for solidarity action for Hong Kong Dock workers strike
To: hkctu秘書處 永旺 中央 <hkctu@hkctu.org.hk>

Dear Comrades,
Thank you very much for your solidarity support and kind attention to the dock workers strike in Hong Kong. Our fellow members of the Union of Hong Kong Dockers (UHKD) have been on strike for 23 days, since March 28th, 2013. Meanwhile, the company Hongkong International Terminals (HIT) still has shown no response to the demands of the strikers and has refused to engage in negotiation. We have to prepare for a long struggle and need your continuous backup and support. We would like to call for solidarity action to further pressure Hutchison and HIT to engage in collective bargaining with the dock workers union.  

For your information, HKCTU and IHLO have compiled a fact sheet about the working situation of the HIT subcontracted dockers and about the company HIT, in a case report. Due to the breakdown of the last 3rd negotiation on April 16th, the union escalated the industrial action to stage a sit-in at Cheung Kong Centre, the head office of Hutchison Whampoa, for an unlimited period until HIT and the contractors return to the negotiation table. On April 18, one of the four subcontractors which employ the strikers, Global Stevedoring, announced it would terminate its business with HIT at the end of its contract on June 30. It put the blame on the union and strike for destroying the business. (For details, please see the attachment 2 and 3 entitled: Global Stevedoring announces closure of business and HIT step up to break up the strike)

The dock workers’ strike has come to a critical moment. Although HIT still does not negotiate, we believe that the external support has gotten media attention and the government seems more willing to intervene as it is sensitive to its global image. International support also gives huge moral support to the workers who are fighting against the ruthless exploitation of the biggest corporation in Asia. If possible, we hope you can organize a protest or petition to any Hutchison Whampoa-owned or invested businesses and send us pictures of the action, to shame Hutchison and to give a strong message of international solidarity to the strikers. Would it be possible for you to organize your solidarity action early next week? We will deeply appreciate your support. Please direct all inquiries and correspondence to the organizer of Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions Ms. Sally Choi by sally.choi@hkctu.org.hk. For donation to support the striking dockers, please follow the instruction of the donation form attached.

In solidarity,

Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions(HKCTU) and Union of Hong Kong Dockers(UHKD)

Enclosed

• Consolidated case of the Strike of the Dockers in Hong Kong International Terminals

• Global Stevedoring announces closure of business

• Fund donation form for strike fund

 
www.hkstrikes.wordpress.com

Support the strike fund here!
http://hkstrikes.wordpress.com/support-the-strike/

We share the same ocean waters, and the same battles for a better world.
We are concerned individuals based in Seattle and beyond who want to express solidarity with the courageous strike that dock workers in Hong Kong have been waging.
Through this site, we will fundraise for the HK port workers, translate articles updating the struggle as it develops, and organize solidarity events and actions in the future.