Statement from the International Dockworkers’ Council:
After more than two intense weeks of conflict and indefinite strike at the port of Callao following the refusal of APM Terminals to negotiate some of the crucial demands from SUTRAMPORPC to reach an agreement on the workers’ contract that expired more than one year ago, and the deployment of the Peruvian navy to replace dockworkers’ operations at the port, APM has launched its latest business strategy to revive the port operations without reaching any agreement with the union: laying off striking workers.
Secretary General of SUTRAMPORPC, Geraldo Honores, said in a recent statement that a “radical change in the APM strategy has taken place, after insisting that the strike did not affect its operations, they began sending striking dockworkers home with employment separation letters, despite the fact that parties during the strike have continued to meet in the Ministry of Labour to find a negotiated solution, APM has now opted for a more confrontational strategy against striking workers.”
For the IDC, these actions are a direct attack on freedom of association and a lack of respect for social dialogue between the union and companies and cannot be tolerated. Beneficial agreements can be reached between both parties to foster port activity through social guarantees and decent jobs.
IDC will carry out all legal actions within our reach to mediate in the conflict and urge AMP to reinstate the laid off workers and the reestablishment of a tripartite negotiation in good faith, and calls all IDC members to monitor this situation.
WE WILL NEVER WALK ALONE AGAIN!