Port workers plan Europe-wide protest

European dock workers are to stage five days of industrial action next month in protest at what they see as the casualisation of port work.

In a move that would have a knock-on effect on trade in general, The International Transport Workers' Federation is to protest against a European Union directive to encourage 'self-handling.'

The ITF believes this would see an increase in the number of seafarers and casual labourers engaged in port work for which they are untrained and unskilled.

Road transport unions affiliated to the ITF, who have voted to support port workers and are examining ways to aid the protest.

Continued disagreement between the European Parliament and its Council of Ministers on a text for the ports' directive sees a formal conciliation period begins on September 9. It is due to end on November 5.

The ITF has stated that unless amendments on self-handling are removed from the directive, actions will continue.

Tony Ayton, Ireland's ITF inspector, commented: "The EU directive is just one target - but as long as we don't know the final result of the conciliation it is a very important one because, almost unbelievably, it seeks to formalise the growing casualisation and deskilling that is a creeping menace elsewhere in the world."

The dock workers' action is due to take place from September 8-12.