Netherlands Port Workers Union and Bermuda Industrial Union Joins Growing List of Global Labor Organizations Pledging Solidarity With ILA Members Fight For A Fair and Just Contract
NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (September 18, 2024) FNV Havens, the largest union for port workers in the Netherlands, representing waterfront workers in the Ports of Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Zeeland, has told Harold J. Daggett, President, International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), that it “fully supports the ILA in their just demands for fairness.”
In a letter to the ILA, Niek Stam and Koen Keehnen from FNV Havens said their labor organization considers international cooperation of great importance.
“Port workers often serve the same shipping companies worldwide,” they wrote. “Shipping companies make mega profits and believe they can demand anything and everything from port workers and terminal operators. It is a right decision by ILA to set limits now and that now is the time for dockworkers to claim their share of the profits. That’s fairness.”
The ILA also received a powerful message of support from the Bermuda Industrial Union.
“I write this letter of support and solidarity with the International Longshoremen’s Association concerning their dispute with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) in regard to their negotiations,” Sister Ronnie Burgesss, General Secretary of the Bermuda Industrial Union. “On behalf of our President, Brother Chris Furbert (who is a former Dock Worker), and the members of the BIU, we fully understand the need for fair and good faith bargaining that uplifts all Dockers. We will support any action that you take against USMX and stand with you in solidarity.”
Already, two of the world-wide labor organizations that the ILA is affiliated with – International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and International Dockworkers Council (IDC) have signalled their full support to the ILA. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Maritime Union of Australia have pledge solidarity with the ILA.
“I hope USMX takes notice of this International Army of Sisters and Brothers from dockworker organizations in all parts of the world who are ready to join us in this battle for a new contract,” said ILA International President Harold Daggett. “The ITF represents 20 million transportation workers globally and added to that are the 120,000 fellow longshore workers that are affiliated with the IDC.
“You can be sure this support from dockworkers and transportation workers world-wide will be powerful and vast,” added ILA President Daggett.