lashing

ITF urges Dutch Court to uphold collective bargaining principles across Europe

CommsLondon — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:21:43 +0000

ITF urges Dutch Court to uphold collective bargaining principles across Europe

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), together with Nautilus NL and FNV, has submitted a formal request to the Court of Appeal in the Netherlands to reconsider and correct key preliminary considerations in its recent interim ruling concerning the Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause (NSWC).

The NSWC is a long-standing provision designed to protect seafarers’ rights, safety, and wellbeing, and forms an integral part of ITF collective bargaining agreements.

ITF believes these preliminary considerations – although not forming the Court’s final judgment – must be clarified to ensure the fundamental right to collective bargaining is fully upheld and to strengthen the role of social dialogue across the European Union.

In its submission, the ITF argues that the Court’s interim judgment makes a number of incorrect suggestions and assumptions. The ITF and its affiliates argue that:

The NSWC does not violate the principle of free competition within the EU, the clause exists within a freely negotiated collective agreement.
ITF cannot be considered an ‘undertaking’ as meant in EU competition law, on the basis that it is a trade union federation and does not provide “services” to employers.
The NSWC does not constitute an unjustifiable breach to the freedom to provide services within the EU, established EU case law protects collective action and the autonomy of social partners.

Although the Court of Appeal has not ruled on the validity of the NSWC itself and is awaiting guidance from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), the ITF maintains that these preliminary considerations are contrary to well-established EU case law and risk undermining workers’ fundamental rights as well as the European model of social partnership.

The ITF has formally requested that the Court reconsider these preliminary considerations and rephrase the preliminary questions it intends to send to the CJEU, ensuring they accurately reflect both the purpose of the NSWC and the legal principles governing collective bargaining.

“The right to organise and to bargain collectively is at the core of the European social model,” said Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary. “We will use every legal avenue necessary to ensure that seafarers’ rights are upheld and that social dialogue remains a cornerstone of EU democracy.”

Livia Spera, General Secretary of the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) said:

“When a court questions well-established principles of collective bargaining, even in one sector, it risks weakening it everywhere. Europe’s transport systems rely on skilled, organised workers, and those workers rely on strong collective agreements. We expect the Dutch Court to uphold the European model of social dialogue, not to undermine it.”

Should the Court decline to make these corrections, the ITF has also requested approval to lodge an interim appeal with the Dutch Supreme Court.

Given the far-reaching implications of the interim ruling for all unions within the European Union—not just in the maritime sector—the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has also requested permission to intervene in the appeal proceedings.

“Collective bargaining is not a distortion of competition, it is a fundamental right,” said Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). “We stand with the ITF in insisting that courts across the EU respect and protect the autonomy of social partners. If they fail to do so, the consequences will reach far beyond the maritime sector and strike at the very heart of all workers’ rights in Europe.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Cargo handling and lashing – securing containers to the deck of a vessel, using heavy lashing bars and bottle screws – is dangerous work that should be undertaken by trained dock workers, who work in pairs to mitigate safety risks.
Forcing seafarers to undertake cargo handling exposes them to danger in the task itself, while also elevating the risk of accidents at sea on vessels made unsafe by badly lashed containers and other cargo. For seafarers, such tasks add to fatigue at the end of voyages when they should be resting or taking shore leave. For dockers, forcing seafarers to undertake cargo handling takes jobs away from qualified workers.

About the ITF: The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is a democratic, affiliate-led federation of transport workers’ unions recognised as the world’s leading transport authority. We fight passionately to improve working lives, connecting trade unions and workers’ networks from 147 countries to secure rights, equality and justice for their members. We are the voice of 16.5 million transport workers who move the world.

Media contact: Luke Menzies, media@itf.org.uk

CommsLondon 02 Dec 2025

lashing

Rotterdam lashers’ strike wins new agreement

Mark_D — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 16:01:58 +0000

Rotterdam lashers’ strike wins new agreement

Dockworkers from FNV Havens win improved pay and conditions after bringing Port of Rotterdam to standstill with biggest ever strike.

Concerted strike action by lashers from International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) affiliate, FNV Havens, has won a new agreement which will guarantee the safety, health and pay of lashers now and in the future.

The lashers’ organising and action, the biggest ever seen in the Port of Rotterdam – Europe’s busiest and largest port – brought the port to a standstill last week.

After 10 companies sought to ban the strike in the Dutch courts, it was instead ruled that lashers were to return to work for four days this week while negotiations for an agreement were renewed.

By last night – Thursday – an agreement in principle was reached with employers International Lashing Services B.V. and Matrans B.V.. FNV members approved the agreement today, bringing the strike to a successful end: the lashers’ won a 17 to 20 percent pay rise over the next three years, in addition to agreements on safe work and making lashing more attractive for young people.

“With this new agreement, won through our workers’ collective organising and strength, FNV Havens members have made lashing in the Netherlands a safer industry now and in the future,” said Niek Stam, FNV Havens leader and ITF Dockers’ Section First Vice Chair.

“The job of a lasher is tough, physical work that can impact on health – that’s why it’s crucial that this essential work is attractive for the young people we need to come into the industry.

“It’s only right that companies ensure that lashers’ work is balanced to ensure that they can retire in good health and receive the wages they deserve. And we’ve won that outcome thanks to our members, our colleagues in the Port of Rotterdam and everyone who stayed in solidarity behind our members’ cause.”

In Rotterdam, a container is handled every three seconds, meaning that on every day of the strike some 25,000 containers could neither be loaded or unloaded. At the peak of the strike last week, there were thirty container ships unable to unload and left waiting in the Rotterdam anchorage area.

The failed appeal to the courts by port companies argued that the strike was irresponsible due to the impacts it would have on supplies of goods throughout Western Europe.

Enrico Tortolano, ITF Dockers’ Section Coordinator, said: “This powerful win from the lashers at FNV Havens sends a strong message right across the world: dockworkers won’t be taken for granted in the Netherlands or anywhere else. And if they are, they will organise, fight for their rights and win.

“The work done by lashers is crucial to all of us. It keeps the world’s supply chains moving, meaning that we depend on lashers for everything from food to medicines – their demanding work deserves fair reward.”

Mark_D 17 Oct 2025

Court intervenes in Rotterdam’s biggest ever lasher strike

Mark_D — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:07:05 +0000

Court intervenes in Rotterdam’s biggest ever lasher strike

A week of strike action by 700 FNV dockworkers brought major Dutch port to standstill –strike action set to resume on Friday without progress.

The biggest ever strike of lashers in the Netherlands is on hold for a week after concerted industrial action by the FNV Havens dockworkers brought the largest and busiest port in Europe to a standstill.

Rotterdam lashers - who work to lash and unlash containers – at International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) affiliate, FNV Havens, have been in negotiations for a new collective labour agreement with two companies, International Lashing Services B.V. and Matrans Marine Service B.V., since April 2025.

However, with no agreement reached on wage increases – which are directly tied to the rates container transshipment companies pay lashing companies – the dockworkers started a 48-hour strike , on the morning of Wednesday 8 October.

Then, on Friday morning 300 lashers – ‘sjorders’ – held a special members’ meeting at which offers from the companies were unanimously rejected by the FNV Havens lashers.

FNV had initially demanded a 7 percent pay increase, on top of automatic inflation compensation but, acting in good faith to find a resolution, lowered that demand to 6.5 percent. The dockers were frustrated that the offer from Matrans Marine Services only arrived that morning – while neither offer matched the union’s reasonable demands for pay and conditions that reflect their hard work in demanding roles allowing them to retire in good health. As a result, all 700 lashers working out of Rotterdam moved into an indefinite strike.

The strike is the biggest in Rotterdam since 1991, when all lashers – a smaller number than those employed today – went on strike. It represents a crucial fight for fair wages, safe working conditions and the recognition of the essential role that dockers play in container operations.

On Friday morning last week, in a sign of their reasonable approach to the strike and negotiations, FNV’s lashers responded to a special request from a cargo owner pleading for nine refrigerated containers of fresh fish to be unloaded before they spoiled. In line with safety agreements, dockers considered this to be an emergency situation and duly dispatched an emergency team to enter the port to un-lash the specific containers.

However, on Saturday morning, the two companies filed an emergency lawsuit against FNV, stating that the strike is disproportionate and threatens supply chains – points rejected by FNV. The court ordered the strike to be suspended from 0700 on Monday until 0700 this Friday, with the strike permitted to resume in the absence of any agreement, and the companies also able to ask the court for a ruling on the strike itself.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority acknowledged the impact of the strike, which meant no container ship was able to unload at the port, leading to some 25 container ships waiting off the Dutch coast. A Port spokesperson explained that: “Even if the lashers now [Monday] return to work without further interruptions, it will take until the end of October to clear the backlog.”

Both FNV Havens and the ITF want a quick and fair resolution to this dispute.

Mark_D 15 Oct 2025

collective agreements

Dutch court rules that ‘preliminary questions’ on ‘Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause’ to be put to EU Court of Justice

Mark_D — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 12:27:56 +0000

Dutch court rules that ‘preliminary questions’ on ‘Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause’ to be put to EU Court of Justice

Today, the Dutch Court of Appeal ruled that preliminary questions will be brought before the European Union (EU) Court of Justice on the Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause (NSWC).

The EU Court of Justice will be requested to shed light on whether the NSWC forms a breach on the freedom of free competition and, if so, whether the NSWC is justified considering the fundamental freedom of collective bargaining.

As a result, at this moment, the initial positive ruling of the Rotterdam Court confirming the validity of the NSWC still stands.

The ITF and its affiliated unions uphold the principle that social partners, through collective bargaining, can jointly decide what best serves the interests of workers. The purpose of the NSWC is to safeguard the work and rest hours of seafarers by ensuring dock workers perform port tasks, such as lashing.

The ITF and its affiliated unions will defend the NSWC before the EU Court of Justice.

“We remain steadfast in defending the NSWC, because seafarers’ safety and rest hours are non-negotiable. Therefore, the ITF will continue to campaign strongly and continuously on an agreed clause negotiated with the employers that is central and fundamental to the health safety and protection of both the seafarers and dockers involved,” said ITF President and Dockers’ Section Chair, Paddy Crumlin.

The ITF and its affiliated unions stand by the NSWC and the goal it aims to achieve: protecting seafarers’ rights, safety, and wellbeing.

END

Notes to Editors

Cargo handling and lashing – securing containers to the deck of a vessel, using heavy lashing bars and bottle screws – is dangerous work that should be undertaken by trained dock workers to mitigate safety risks.
Forcing seafarers to undertake cargo handling exposes them to danger in the task itself, while also elevating the risk of accidents at sea on vessels made unsafe by poorly lashed containers and other cargo. For seafarers, such tasks add to fatigue at the end of voyages when they should be resting or taking shore leave.

Mark_D 30 Sep 2025

‘Marrakech Policy’ sets bar for ITF to improve conditions for maritime workers

Mark_D — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 15:01:05 +0000

‘Marrakech Policy’ sets bar for ITF to improve conditions for maritime workers

The ITF’s campaign on Flags of Convenience takes major step forward with new standard for international seafarers’ rights and working conditions.

The ‘Marrakech Policy’, adopted today at the International Transport Workers’ Federation’s (ITF) Joint Seafarers’ and Dockers’ Conference, now forms the governing framework for the global union’s campaigning work on Flags of Convenience (FOC).

The policy is the culmination of five years’ work by union representatives from ITF maritime affiliates to examine, plan and develop a new strategy in line with the shifting reality faced by seafarers since 2010 – when the preceding Mexico City Policy was adopted at the ITF’s 42nd Congress in Mexico City.

The Marrakech Policy sets out the minimum conditions the ITF and its affiliated unions will accept on FOC merchant ships, incorporating the new understanding of the critical importance of global supply chains that emerged out of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the central role for shipping and seafarers in combatting climate change through a just transition.

The Marrakech Policy will now form the baseline for the ITF’s Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA), which set the wages and working conditions for crews on FOC vessels, irrespective of nationality.

Seafarers Section Chair, David Heindel, who Co-Chairs the ITF’s Fair Practices Committee, said: “There is a lot of focus in shipping on the need for sustainability, and we warmly welcome this. But shipping can never be truly sustainable if it does not respect the labour rights of the seafarers without whom shipping and global trade can’t function.

“As we have done for so many years, the ITF will continue to fight for a better future for seafarers on FOC ships, and we won’t rest until we’ve secured it – and I’m proud that the new Marrakech Policy now sets the framework for this crucial work.”

Crucially, the policy also highlights the importance of cooperation and solidarity between dockers and seafarers that ensures seafarers are not forced to do dockers’ work and protects dockers from the erosion of their jurisdiction over their work. ITF Dockers’ Section Chair and Co-Chair of the ITF’s Fair Practices Committee, Paddy Crumlin, emphasised the importance of this.

“For dockers, the inclusion of the Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause in the CBAs isn’t just about job security, it’s about safety – both for dockers and for seafarers,” he said.

“Companies are trying to cut corners, making seafarers do lashing, putting them at serious risk. We’ve fought against this before, and we’ll continue to fight against any shipowner who puts seafarers’ lives in danger.”

The ITF’s campaign against FOCs is governed by the Fair Practices Committee – a joint committee made up of dockers’ and seafarers’ unions. The support of ITF-affiliated dockers’ unions has long been crucial to the ITF’s FOC campaign, with dockers providing the solidarity action that helps ensure shipping companies are brought to the table to negotiate better conditions for seafarers. The solidarity of seafarers' unions is equally important in ensuring that dockers’ rights are respected through ITF’s Ports of Convenience (POC) campaign.

The challenges faced by seafarers and dockers are not abstract: seafarers deal with relentless fatigue from long hours, wage theft, abandonment in foreign ports, criminalisation for events beyond their control, and being burdened with lashing duties, traditionally the work of dockers.

Dockers face a concerted attack on their jurisdiction, particularly around lashing, automation and digitalisation, and threats to their jobs and safety.

“The attacks on our rights aren’t going away, but neither are we,” said Crumlin. “We’re dockers. We’re seafarers. We move the world, and it’s time companies recognise that they can’t exploit us without consequences.

‘Whether it’s fighting abandonment or defending dockers’ jobs, we stand united.”

Heindel said: “Shipping and port companies that are out to undermine seafarers and dockers so they can boost their own profits are on notice: we won’t stand for it, and we will do whatever it takes to secure our rights and the fair pay and conditions we deserve.”

The Marrakech Policy also deepens cooperation between ITF-affiliated unions, especially those from ship-owning and labour-providing countries, creating a more united front in the fight for better conditions.

At the end of the Conference, the ITF extended its deep thanks and solidarity to five recipients of ITF Gold Awards, given in recognition of their exceptional service: Mykhailo Kirieiev, Marine Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine (MTWTU); Johan Oyen, Norwegian Seafarers’ Union (NSU); Remo di Fiore, Federazione Italiana Trasporti (FIT-CIS, Italy); Severino Almeida Filho, Sindicato Nacional Dos Oficiais Da Marinha Mercante (SINDMAR, Brazil); Christy Cain, Maritime Union of Australia (MUA); ; Willie Adams, International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU, USA).

Notes

The Marrakech Policy is available to download here.

Mark_D 18 Oct 2024

maritime labour convention

Victory for seafarers’ safety as Dutch court sides with unions on container lashing

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 11:24:40 +0000

Victory for seafarers’ safety as Dutch court sides with unions on container lashing

Unions have secured an important victory in the campaign for seafarers’ safety this week as a Dutch court has ruled that ship managers, ship owners and charterers must honour a clause that prevents seafarers from being assigned dangerous lashing work where professional dock workers are available.

In 2020, the ITF, FNV Havens and Nautilus NL took the case against Marlow Cyprus, Marlow Netherlands and Expert Shipping over their refusal to adhere to the Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause to court in the Netherlands. The companies signed up to the agreement in 2018 and the clause came into force two years later.

The ruling from the Rotterdam District Court means that the companies who employ seafarers on shipowners’ behalf, must ensure that cargo handling must be performed by trained local dock workers where possible, and not given to seafarers as an additional responsibility.

The decision means greater safety for seafarers and also secures jobs for dockers.

The court emphasised the importance of the proper implementation of agreements reached through social dialogue and the binding nature of such agreements. It also reaffirmed the ‘Albany exemption’ which provides that collective bargaining agreements are exempt from certain requirements of EU competition law.

“The court makes clear that the parties are bound to the terms of the agreement. Given the weight attached to social dialogue within the European Union, and in the principle statements of companies – it is of paramount importance that they follow through. That starts with employers doing what they say they will,” said ITF President and Dockers’ Section Chair, Paddy Crumlin.

“Employers like those we’ve won this important case against, have been reminded this week by the court about what it actually means to be a social partner. It means doing what you say you’ll do. It means keeping your word.”

“Seafarers, dockers and our unions have upheld our parts of the agreement, which has delivered these companies stable profits. This case is a big step forward in our campaign, but we won’t be happy until we get all charterers to respect the clause.”

“Now, it is time for these employers, particularly short sea shipping charterers, to return to true social dialogue and restore good faith with unions, this must include working with shipowners to implement the Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause.”

“Our industry has important issues to tackle together, and we will continue to be part of the IBF process that has improved wages and working conditions for seafarers for almost 20 years,” said Crumlin.

ITF Dockers' Section vice-chair Niek Stam, who is also the leader of Dutch dockers’ union FNV Havens, said the ruling was both a victory for seafarers’ safety and for dockers’ jobs.

"Those who don't fight will never win. This is the only logical outcome of the lawsuit. Otherwise a signature would no longer be worth anything. A deal is a deal," said Stam.

“Lashing can be extremely unsafe for seafarers, who are often untrained in port operations, such as the dangers of moving cranes. Automated terminals and supply chain pressures have further increased these dangers to ships’ crew,” he said.

ETF General Secretary Livia Spera said, “This ruling makes clear to shipowners and others that it is a legal requirement to honour the terms of a collective bargaining agreement.”

“This is the result of years of hard work from the union side and this verdict represents a victory for both seafarers and dockers. It is about the safety of our transport workers, it is about the obligation of the charterers to use the specialised workforce of dockers, and to not exploit seafarers’ safety in this way.”

Key findings of the case:

The clause serves the safety of seafarers. Any secondary effects (such as protecting dockers’ jobs) are not relevant
Solidarity between dockers and seafarers is not undesirable
Marlow must ensure that the clause is respected and adhered to by charterers
The importance of social dialogue is repeatedly highlighted and the need for agreements to be honoured

Anonymous (not verified) 08 Jul 2022

Unions to continue lashing battle to achieve compliance with Non-seafarers’ Work Clause

barton_linda — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 16:57:37 +0000

Unions to continue lashing battle to achieve compliance with Non-seafarers’ Work Clause

While the Court of Rotterdam’s decision today in the Netherlands is disappointing, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and the bodies’ affiliated unions today vowed to continue the battle to achieve compliance with the Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause.

The Dutch court unfortunately refrained from immediately ordering a shipowner and manning agents to comply with the Non-Seafarers' Work Clause, also known as the Dockers' Clause.

The ITF, ETF and the bodies’ affiliated unions Nautilus NL, FNV Havens and Ver.di have long challenged the industry to comply with the clause and stop exposing seafarers to additional workplace health and safety risks and stop depriving dockers of their valuable work.

Despite the decision to dismiss the unions’ preliminary request to prohibit the lashing by seafarers immediately in advance of the results of main proceedings, unions believe that the agreement is clear that this cargo handling work must be undertaken by trained, experienced dockers when they are present; putting an end the dangerous practice of fatigued seafarers undertaking lashing.

According to the verdict, urgency for interim relief as a result of the non-compliance indeed exists. However, the presiding judge was of the opinion that more extensive judicial review would be necessary to examine the several factual and legal questions, according to the ruling. Disappointingly, the judge considered that the matter was too complicated for summary proceedings.

The case is the outcome of a joint effort by the unions. The clause negotiated to finally bring in the necessary protections, came into effect on 1 January 2020, following an agreement in February 2018. The above unions joined forces to enforce this on 3 June 2020, filing preliminary relief proceedings against manning agents Marlow Navigation Netherlands B.V. and Marlow Navigation Company Limited (registered in the Netherlands and Cyprus respectively) and shipowner Expert Shipping B.V in the Netherlands. Five charterer companies later made an application to the Court to join these proceedings.

Following today’s verdict, the maritime unions will continue to fight for compliance with the Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause to see it enforced in full on all vessels with ITF collective agreements.

The maritime unions are now considering whether to instigate appeal on the preliminary decision or proceed to the pending main proceedings where the Court will extensively examine the matter.

Media Contact: media[at]itf.org.uk

Note: Media contacts for other unions can be requested via the ITF contact above.

Notes to Editors

What is the Non-Seafarers' Work Clause?

The clause is part of the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) agreement between the Joint Negotiating Group, representing ship owners, and the ITF, representing seafarers. Those who employ seafarers have to adhere to the IBF Agreement in full, including the Non-Seafarers' Work Clause.

The clause aims to improve the safety of seafarers working on vessels by aiding in adherence to appropriate work and rest hours, reducing fatigue and by having this dangerous task completed by workers who are specifically trained for the task. Comprehensive research has shown that it is safer when specifically, trained lashers carry out the cargo handling.

More legal proceedings are expected to achieve full compliance with the Non-Seafarers' Work Clause. In the Netherlands, proceedings on its merits are pending.

Labour unions (of seafarers and dock workers) worldwide will continue to protect the interests of seafarers and dock workers.

What does the clause actually say?

“Neither Seafarers nor anyone else on board whether in permanent or temporary employment by the Company shall carry out cargo handling services in a port, at a terminal or on board of a vessel, where dock workers, who are members of an ITF affiliated union, are providing the cargo handling services. Where there are not sufficient numbers of qualified dock workers available, the ship’s crew may carry out the work provided that there is prior agreement of the ITF Dockers Union or ITF Unions concerned; and provided that the individual Seafarers volunteer to carry out such duties; and those Seafarers are qualified and adequately compensated for that work. For the purpose of this clause “cargo handling services” may include but is not limited to: loading, unloading, lashing, unlashing, checking and receiving.”

About the ITF: The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) is a democratic global union federation of nearly 700 transport workers trade unions representing around 20 million workers in 150 countries. The ITF works to improve the lives of transport workers globally, encouraging and organising international solidarity among its network of affiliates. The ITF represents the interests of transport workers' unions in bodies that take decisions affecting jobs, employment conditions and safety in the transport industry.

barton_linda 27 Aug 2020

lashing

Seafarers

Global

ITF statement on complaint filed with European Commission by shortsea and feeder ship operators

Menzies_Luke@itf.org.uk — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 03:17:28 +0000

ITF statement on complaint filed with European Commission by shortsea and feeder ship operators

Via the press the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) [and its affiliates] has heard about a complaint filed with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition by shortsea and feeder ship operators.

The complaint relates to the Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause (NSWC) in the IBF Collective Bargaining Agreement. This clause protects seafarers from being obliged to perform dangerous cargo handling services.

The agreement was voluntarily negotiated and agreed upon between the ITF, representing seafarers, and Joint Negotiating Group (JNG), representing shipowners. This clause was negotiated in good faith and the ITF has an expectation that those who employ seafarers will adhere to this clause in the same way in which they are expected to adhere to the rest of the agreement.

The NSWC aims to improve the safety of seafarers working on vessels by aiding in adherence to appropriate work and rest hours, reducing fatigue and by having this dangerous task completed by workers who are specifically trained for the task.

The Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause does not violate EU competition law.

The ITF, FNV Havens, Nautilus NL and ver.di have recently filed legal proceedings to enforce the clause. The complaint appears to be a tactical reaction to these legal proceedings and seeks to avoid compliance with the NSWC.

The petitioners of the complaint have so far refused to share the complaint with the ITF. Therefore, the ITF cannot comment in more detail.

Contact:
ITF Maritime Communications Manager
mccourt_rory@itf.org.uk
+44 20 7940 9282

Menzies_Luke@i… 11 Jun 2020

Canadian dockers honour lost second officer of Maersk Patras

Rory_M — Thu, 21 May 2020 02:25:49 +0000

Canadian dockers honour lost second officer of Maersk Patras

This week marks a year since Ravindu Telge, 2nd Officer of the Maersk Patras, fell overboard while lashing underway along the Saint Lawrence Seaway, in Quebec, Canada.

Securing and unsecuring containers onboard moving ships is highly dangerous work that the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the ITF have condemned — and have repeatedly warned the Port of Montreal and Transport Canada against allowing.

The day he was killed, Brother Telge had worked his usual midnight-to-04:00 watch. Later the same morning, he was called to do a shift of hard labour on deck. Container ships calling at Montreal are required by terminal operators there to unlash all containers and loosen twistlocks before arriving in port, to save the port time and money. This means the seafarers whose actual job is to maintain and navigate the ship, are pressed into stevedoring work in addition to their own work.

Had Brother Telge completed this task, he would have then gone back on navigation watch at noon. Instead, at about 09:00, Brother Telge fell over the rail to his death while holding a four-metre lashing bar.

The ITF is awaiting a copy of initial findings from Transport Canada. To its shame, Canada’s Transportation Safety Board, the national authority that investigates marine accidents, refused to exercise its mandate. Instead, it has left the responsibility to the flag state of Singapore, where the vessel was registered, removing any chance that Transport Canada learns any of the required lessons from this incident to prevent any future risk to the lives of seafarers in their waters.

In a grim twist of fate, the Maersk Patras called at Montreal on the first anniversary of Brother Telge’s death. Today, Dockers’ representatives from CUPE Local 375, accompanied by ITF Inspector Vince Giannopoulos, boarded the vessel to inform the Captain that the port workers wished to honour their brother’s loss and offer gifts to the crew. The Captain and crew agreed to join the longshoremen on the dock for a brief ceremony.

Sylvain Charron, Vice-President of CUPE 375, said his members’ thoughts remain with Brother Telge’s family.

“This has always been about the seafarers. They have a hard enough job already. In the winter, the weather can be -30 Celsius. Lashing is a dangerous job. We know it is hard work. We don’t think it is fair that BrotherTelge should give his life to do work he should not be doing. We wish his family respect and hope that they will be able to find peace.

Ravindu was 31 when he died, he would have been 32, two days, ago on May 17th. He will never turn 32 now. We can only imagine the grief of his family at home in Sri Lanka.”

Sylvain Charron added: “I hope his family will know that CUPE 375 will not forget his loss — and we will continue to fight for seafarer safety on vessels coming to our port.”

ITF Canada Coordinator Peter Lahay said “We have done our homework. We know that the strain put on crew to lash is done to save the industry a few dollars.

“We have expressed this to the Port of Montreal and to Transport Canada. They don’t seem to care about the seafarers doing this dangerous work. They seem content to have this cruel and dangerous practice continue. Ravindu was a young seafarer who needlessly gave his life. He had no choice. That’s the way it is on ships: you either do the work or you are invited to go home."

“Seafarers are highly exploitable and prone to doing dangerous work like lashing. Nothing is crueler than operators who takes advantage of that. This practice must be stopped." said Peter Lahay.

Remember the dead and fight like hell for the living.

Rory_M 21 May 2020

Seafarers' cries for help over dangers of lashing at sea attracts media spotlight

Menzies_Luke@itf.org.uk — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 23:44:41 +0000

Seafarers' cries for help over dangers of lashing at sea attracts media spotlight

The feature 'ITF claims shipping lines are ignoring lashing rules' graphically highlights the danger of seafarers forced to lash mountains of containers on ships decks, while vessels are underway – even at night, often without sleep.

The article by Nick Savvides, draws on evidence and documentation provided by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), including the plea for help.

The article features emails from a Borchard Line seafarer to the ITF, pleading for assistance.

“I almost fell,” wrote one seafarer on board. “Everything is worst right now, not a Healthy vessel for us and a dangerous ship… We want to refuse… ITF please save Us, You are Our Only Chance and Only hope.”

The call for help came before a dramatic collapse of a container stack on the Judith Borchard at sea in November last year.

Another seafarer on board North Sea Container Line’s NCL Averoy also said that crew were asked to work 180 hours or more overtime.

“Instead of resting, we do lashing and unlashing even (if) we don’t have sleep,” he wrote, naming a dozen European ports.

ITF Canada coordinator Peter Lahay said he felt compelled to write to Container News declaring, “We get dozens of letters from crew and their family complaining of fatigue and unsafe practices, but they cannot stand up and complain because they know they will be fired.”

The in-depth Container News feature also covered the lashing deaths of Ravindu Lakmal Pieris Telge, aboard the Maersk Patras on the St Lawrence River, Montreal, last year and seafarer Dennis Gomez Regana, in Dublin, aboard the Francop in November 2017.

It highlights how major container ship operators flout the regulations to cut costs.

Container News contacted both Borchard Lines and Montreal ports. Both declined to comment.

Maersk provided a contradictory statement implying sometimes ports could not provide dock workers to do the job.

Dock workers are available to lash in Montreal and are fighting to reclaim the work which the ITF argues is rightfully theirs. However, Canadian authorities previously told media the port had exemption to allow ships’ crew to lash on the river.

The feature also cites the ITF Dockers’ Clause agreed by the major lines, which came into force on 1 January 2020.

Menzies_Luke@i… 04 Apr 2020

lashing

ITF urges Dutch Court to uphold collective bargaining principles across Europe

Rotterdam lashers’ strike wins new agreement

Dockworkers from FNV Havens win improved pay and conditions after bringing Port of Rotterdam to standstill with biggest ever strike.

Court intervenes in Rotterdam’s biggest ever lasher strike

A week of strike action by 700 FNV dockworkers brought major Dutch port to standstill –strike action set to resume on Friday without progress.

Dutch court rules that ‘preliminary questions’ on ‘Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause’ to be put to EU Court of Justice

‘Marrakech Policy’ sets bar for ITF to improve conditions for maritime workers

Victory for seafarers’ safety as Dutch court sides with unions on container lashing

Unions to continue lashing battle to achieve compliance with Non-seafarers’ Work Clause

ITF statement on complaint filed with European Commission by shortsea and feeder ship operators

Canadian dockers honour lost second officer of Maersk Patras

Seafarers' cries for help over dangers of lashing at sea attracts media spotlight

ITF calls on Transport Canada to stop ships lashing on the St Lawrence River after seafarer’s death

#LashingIsDockersWork: ITF Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause comes into force