EUROPE

Spanish stevedores go on strike

16 years ago

Port unions in Spain called a series of strikes throughout May to protest against government measures that will allow port operators to contract stevedores who do not belong to Port Stevedoring Management Companies (SAGEP).

Strikes were initially scheduled for March, but were suspended while new talks took place.

The unions claim that up to 1,500 jobs could go if unregulated stevedoring is permitted and that the profession will have ‘third world’ conditions imposed on it.

At present, terminal operators in Spain have to contract 70% of their personnel from SAGEP.