The Canadian government may have stepped in to end the rail strike after just one day last week, but labour unrest and the potential for strike action continues to threaten port operations and supply chains around the world.
From Germany, where the Ver.di union has already held day-long port stoppages at the major ports, to India, where nationwide strikes have been narrowly avoided and the United States, where the threat of ILA action still hangs over East and Gulf coast ports.
After more than three years of negotiations, Indian officials are reporting that reaching an agreement with the Water Transport Workers Federation of India went down to the wire in a marathon meeting.
The country’s 12 major container ports were on the verge of an “indefinite action” by around 18,000 employees, which would have disrupted cargo flows just as exporters were making every effort to maximise shipments in the peak season.
Media reports indicate an MoU was reached for basic pay increases, benefits and special allowances covering the period between 2022 and the end of 2026.
The same basic issues of pay, benefits, and work rules are cropping up in the negotiations in all parts of the world.
Germany’s Ver.di union reports that voting on two options presented by the Central Association of German Seaport Companies (ZDS) was rejected as “completely inadequate” by its 11,500 members and are calling for ZDS to return to the negotiating table.
There have already been rolling strikes between Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Bremen, Wilhelmshaven, Brake, and Emden coinciding with the prior rounds of negotiations and while no strikes have yet been scheduled, Ver.di did announce plans for an August 31 action in Hamburg ahead of a vote to approve MSC’s deal to acquire half of Hamburg container terminal operator HHLA.
US East coast
Looming though is still the unsettled dispute for the U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports which has the greatest potential to disrupt global supply chains.
A local issue over automation stalled the efforts to proceed with master contract negotiations and with little more than a month till the September 30 deadline, the International Longshoremen’s Association is determined not to extend past the deadline, with action possible from the 1st October.
Last week, the ILA and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) each filed with the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service (FMCS). The ILA has refused talks for the master contract as part of its stance against port automation. USMX says it is ready to resume talks.
Global Forwarding’s dedicated teams in the US and Europe handle ocean shipment, customs brokerage and domestic transport.
For the US EMAIL Adam Davies | For Europe EMAIL Andy Costara.
