Port Said dockers celebrate union recognition.
A dockers’ union in an Egyptian port has won recognition from global terminal operator APM Terminals (APMT). The deal was won in the aftermath of the death of a crane driver and following two days of strike action.
Workers at the Suez Canal Container Terminal, owned by APMT, walked out on strike in Port Said on 27 February in protest over management’s refusal to enter into negotiations with the APMT Port Said Union Committee. It was reported that port authority representatives, the public manager of manpower and the military ruler in Port Said intervened to resolve the matter.
During the dispute, a 34-year-old crane driver, Mohammad Ali Faeaj, died when his blood pressure suffered a severe drop. This tragedy stiffened the workers’ resolve not to end their strike until the company had conceded to all their demands. As a result, intensive negotiations between APMT and the union committee led to a settlement on 1 March. The agreement meets all the union’s demands, including recognition of the right to organize and bargain collectively.
Bilal Malkawi, ITF Arab World office, commented: “I had hoped that this settlement could be concluded without the loss a young worker’s life; Mohammad died after being on strike in the terminal for 48 hours.
“The ITF worked hard with the workers in Port Said to help them win recognition. I was with them in Port Said during this dispute, trying to advise them and to show them solidarity. We hope that employers now understand the real meaning of dialogue. Social dialogue is the only way forward in ports in Egypt and around the world.”