The ILWU Coast Longshore Division published ads in Costa Rican newspapers supporting the democratically elected union leaders.
The ouster of democratically elected leaders of the SINTRAJAP union prompted the International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s (ILWU’s) Coast Longshore Division to charge Costa Rica with “serious and repeated failures by the government of Costa Rica to effectively enforce its own labor laws” in an 18-page complaint with the Department of Labor’s Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA).
“The return of the legitimate union leadership is a victory for hard-working people everywhere, who count on having the democratic right to join a union and improve their standard of living, ensure their safety and strengthen their communities,” says ILWU International President Robert McEllrath.
Despite the court’s order, it remains unclear whether or not the government intends to respect the ruling.
“The road ahead will likely be long, but we are prepared to support the legitimate SINTRAJAP board in their fight to keep their docks safe and productive, and to ensure their communities keep the good, union jobs that sustain them,” says McEllrath.