Young Workers Conference – Application Deadline Extension

Due to the disruption at the office, we are extending the deadline for applications to June 30, 2013. For more information on how to get your application in during the office closure please see the bulletin below.

YoungWorkers-AppExt-May2013

Ports of Auckland Dispute Update

MUNZ has decided not to proceed with the injunction against Ports of Auckland as they have come to an agreement about the employment of stevedores. They will be discussing the issues and resuming bargaining for three days, starting the 4th of June. Read more about all the details of dispute, and what is to come by clicking the on the link below.

Ports of Auckland Dispute Update

***BC ELECTION DAY – MAY 14, 2013***

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

We are facing one of the most important elections here in BC in many years. The disgraced BC Liberals are trying to hold onto power by running one of the most negative campaigns in BC history. They have tried to turn this into a referendum on the popularity of leaders and have continually attacked Adrian Dix and the New Democrats although their own record in office is one of the worst ever.

The New Democrats will bring balance back to the government of BC. It is time that ordinary people were listened to again. There is more at stake here than the Liberals phony argument about the economy and the balanced budget and debt.

Just remember this government has been in power for twelve years and has run up the most provincial debt in the history of this province and we have lost 30,000 jobs since they launched their Jobs Program. The only reason the budget is balanced is because they say so, it has nothing to do with the true state of our finances.

You may have seen the Premier on TV last week with the President of the BCMEA. If you did not see it the BCMEA has endorsed the Liberals!

Please make sure you get out and vote Tuesday.

ILWU Canada Officers

Update on MUNZ

For the full update on the Maritime Union of New Zealand’s struggle, click on the link below.

MUNZ Update

Update on the Port of Hong Kong

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

PORT OF HONG KONG

After 40 days the strike at the Port of Hong Kong is over.

Workers from the Union of Hong Kong Dockers (UHKD) have accepted a new wage deal and been promised ongoing dialogue on issues of health and safety and dignity at work. They have also been assured there will be no retaliation against workers involved in industrial action.

We hope this signals an era of positive and open relations with contractors, Hong Kong International Terminals (HIT) and ultimately, port operator Hutchison Port Holdings.

This victory could not have been achieved without your solidarity. Over 8500 letters of protest were sent to HIT as well as thousands of messages of support to UHKD. Solidarity missions by the MUA, FNV and ILWU have helped to secure a positive resolution to this dispute.

The ITF Dockers’ Section thank you for your overwhelming display of solidarity, showing once again that if we stand together we are strong.

In Solidarity

Sharon James 

Secretary, Dockers Section

World Dockers Back Recognition of London Gateway Port Workers

The ITF is in strong support for the recognition of Unite, which is the country’s largest union. Unite will represent workers in the London Gateway. For more information and to read the full article click on the link below.

London Gateway Port Workers

Solidarity With US Dockers Locked Out by Mitsui

The ITF is asking for your support for Dockers locked out for 6 weeks by their employer, Mitsui-United Grain, at the Port of Vancouver in Washington, USA. This is being seen as an attempt to avoid negotiations for a new collective agreement, as the existing agreement has expired. View the ITF Action Alert below and send a protest letter in support.

ITF Action Alert – Dockers Locked Out by Mitsui

Solidarity With Hong Kong Dock Workers

Dock workers at the Port of Hong Kong are facing a direct attack on their basic right to strike. Hong Kong International Terminals, (HIT), has banned them from taking full industrial action having been granted a court injunction against them. Please view the links below and send them your support. Join the more than 1700 people who have voiced their protest already and defend our sisters’ and brothers’ basic right to strike.

Solidarity with Hong Kong Dock Workers

Defend the Right to Strike

***ITF ACTION ALERT***

The ITF is requesting rapid response solidarity in support of our Brothers and Sisters in Hong Kong. View the ITF Action Alert below to read more about the struggle and how you and your union can show your support.

ITF Action Alert – Union of Hong Kong Dockers (UHKD)

Dock Workers on Strike Require Support

The ILWU Canada received an email requesting support from dock workers in Hong Kong:

To whom it may concern,

Across the Pacific, in Hong Kong docks operated by Hutchison, there are several hundred contracted workers asked to work long hour shifts – 16 hour shifts without break, under unsafe environment with pour hygiene. Their current salary level is even lower than 1997′s salary level in terms of dollar value, without factoring in the inflation adjustment – not to mention they have no pension nor any medical coverage.

Last week, these contracted workers decided to work off the job and asked for a salary raise and reasonable working environment. However, port operators and the contracting companies refused to negotiate with the workers, they even threatened the on strike workers that they will get sacked if they do not return to work. It is obvious that the port operator wants to bust the strike, maybe the union as well, rather than providing fair compensation to the workers.

It is a tough war for the workers – they are low paid, with their jobs on the line. Their opponent Hutchison, is chaired by the Li Ka Shing, the 8th richest man in the world (and yes, he has Canadian citizenship as well). It goes way beyond “David vs Goliath” level. As a Hong Kong-born Canadian citizen, I have deep sympathy for these workers, yet there is nothing much I could do for them. Hence I am writing this letter to you, humbly asking if ILWU Canada can write a letter to show its support to these workers across the ocean – to let these workers know, they are not fighting alone.

I have attached some article links for your reference:

• http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1205722/grim-life-dock-workhorse
• http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1205719/port-rejects-dockers-pay-claims
• http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1205482/dockers-continue-strike-despite-sacking-threat

If ILWU Canada is willing to show its warm support, please address the letter to Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), which organizes the strike. Its email address is hkctu@hkctu.org.hk.

International Trade Union Confederation and All Japan Dockworkers’ Union have shown their support (link attached below), but the more support we can provide – even it is just a letter – these workers can stand stronger to fight for the compensation they deserve.

• http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/59717_556083377765273_734008175_n.jpg
• http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/c0.34.403.403/p403x403/553012_10151386836108543_1101872827_n.jpg

Yours sincerely,

Chi-ho Ho