Spain Approves Port Reform, Dockers to Go on New Strikes

zoomIllustration; Image Courtesy: The Northwest Maritime Academy After the Spanish Council of Ministers approved a royal decree on the port system reform on February 24, the countrys dockworkers plan to stage new strikes, starting from March 6.  The new law, which is in line with the requirements of the European Union, will enable ports to hire non-unionized dockworkers instead of the unionized ones. In addition, under the new law, stevedoring companies will not have to be members of local stevedoring societies known as Sociedad Anonima de Gestion de Estibadores Portuarios (SAGEP). Under the current stevedoring system, ports have to hire workers belonging to SAGEPs. The countrys government said that the new port system has maximum flexibility, respecting workers rights and enabling competitive equality. According to the newly adopted decree, there will be a transitional period of three years for workers and companies to adapt to the new legal framework. Earlier this month, Spanish trade unions announced strikes as a response to the governments reform plan according to which at least 6,500 dockworkers could be laid off in the future. However, strikes were called off after the government promised it would postpone plans and start negotiating with trade unions. Spanish union Coordinadora Estatal de Trabajadores del Mar (CETM) said that despite the offer to join the negotiating table with dockworkers, Inigo de la Serna, the countrys Minister of Public Works, decided to go ahead with the plan and approve the decree. CETM said that workers absolutely and vigorously reject the approved decree which will cause destabilization of one of the most prosperous industries in Spain. Consequently, Spanish dockworkers intend to organize new strikes which could disrupt trade in this country. World Maritime News Staff