The ILWU joined other members of International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) on March 20th who organized a protest and negotiating session at the Honduran Embassy in London.
“We gathered in London for the ITF Dockers Section meeting to discuss important issues facing dockworkers around the world – including the abuse of workers at Puerto Cortés in Honduras,” said ILWU International Vice President Ray Familathe who also serves as Second Vice-Chair for the ITF Dockers Section.
A protest was organized to seek justice for Honduran dockworkers who have suffered a host of human and labor rights abuses at Puerto Cortés where global terminal operator ICTSI won a concession in September of 2012 to privately run the former public port. Union leaders have been trying – without success – to negotiate with ICTSI’s Honduran subsidiary to reach a collective bargaining agreement for port workers.
Death threats and murder
Honduran dockworker Victor Crepso, who heads the Sindicato Gremial de Trabajadores del Muelle (SGTM), faced repeated death threats and an attempt on his life, forcing Crespo to flee the country for his own protection. After Crespo fled Honduras, his father was murdered on January 27, 2014.
Repression continues
SGTM union members who participated in legitimate and peaceful protests in Honduras and at ICTSI’s terminal at the Port of Portland on March 4, were subsequently hunted down by Honduran police when they returned home. Some union leaders were detained and charged with crimes against the state.
Solidarity response
In London, the ITF assembled a high-level official delegation to meet with Honduran Ambassador Romero-Martinez at his London embassy, while ILWU Vice President Familathe and other members of the ITF Dockers’ Section – representing port workers worldwide – demonstrated in front of the building.
“We called on Honduran officials to practice ‘negotiation, not intimidation,’” said Familathe.
Inside the Honduran Embassy, ITF President Paddy Crumlin; ITF Acting General Secretary Steve Cotton; ITF-affiliate SGTM President Victor Crespo; and ITF Maritime Coordinator Tomas Abrahamsson reviewed the recent history of worker abuse at Puerto Cortés.
Agreement to investigate
At the conclusion of the meeting, Ambassador Romero-Martinez promised to seek an investigation into the death threats and other abuse of trade unionists at Puerto Cortés.
Speaking on the embassy steps following the meeting, ITF President Paddy Crumlin announced: “We had a productive, open and frank conversation with the ambassador who agreed there should be an investigation into the abuse of trade union and human rights being reported in Puerto Cortés.
All of us agreed that engagement from all sides is essential if we’re to bring about an end to this situation.”