Leaders of dockers’ unions representing more than 130,000 dockworkers in more than 50 countries around the world as members of the International Dockworkers’ Council (IDC), concluded the 9th IDC General Assembly last week in New Orleans, Louisiana, calling the two-day convention an overwhelming success. Dockers’ delegates left the Assembly with renewed energy and focusing the force of their collective solidarity on the fight for labor rights, job security, respect and recognition of dockers as highly qualified professionals and the defense of jobs in the face of automation, privatization and legislative attacks from governments in every country where the IDC has planted its flag.

“We are more united and stronger than ever,” said Dennis A. Daggett, General Coordinator of the IDC, who was re-elected for a new four-year term and will lead the global dockworkers organization until 2026. “No employer, no shipping company, no terminal operator, no government will hold the IDC back from our goal of providing power and representation to our members around the world.”

The IDC General Assembly addressed a thorny issue regarding membership compliance with the IDC Bylaws. After lengthy debates and discussions, the IDC made the harsh decision that IDC affiliated unions that refuse to abide by the rules of the Constitution – such as refusing to pay membership dues – will be expelled by the governing body of IDC delegates. IDC. However, despite the expulsions, the IDC sent a message to rank-and-file members of the affected dockers’ unions that they “will never walk alone” if they face a threat to their jobs or livelihoods. “If you are under attack and need our help, we will be there with you immediately,” the IDC said. The General Assembly of the IDC gave its Permanent Commission the power to reinstate expelled or suspended unions. In addition, the plenary session of the General Assembly decided to reform its organizational structure to achieve greater efficiency and agility in responding to the demands of port workers.

The IDC is committed to working tirelessly with expelled port unions to resolve conflicts and unite all unions, under the umbrella of the IDC and with respect for global solidarity and the Charter as a fundamental foundation.

In addition to re-electing Daggett as General Coordinator of the IDC, the more than 400 delegates who attended the 9th General Assembly consolidated the team of Zone Coordinators to carry out the IDC’s mission.

In the restructured European Zone, Andy Green was elected Coordinator. In the West Coast Zone, Ed Ferris was elected to replace Bobby Olvera Jr. as Coordinator.

The Zone Coordinators are as follows: Paul Keating (Oceania and Asia Zone); Andy Green (Europe Zone); César Luna (Latin America and the Caribbean Zone); Kenneth Riley (East Coast Area); Ed Ferris (West Coast Area); and Guigrehi Aklégbou Pierre (Africa Zone).

On the other hand, the Uruguayan Fabián González was elected Prevention Coordinator (H&S).

IDC delegates engaged in an intense debate during the two days of the Assembly. In the end, they came together in one voice to affirm that the IDC is “the only voice and representation of organized port workers around the world”.

Among the important resolutions and political declarations produced at the New Orleans Assembly, IDC delegates adopted an important diversity resolution: “No discrimination on the basis of birth, ethnicity, gender, class, age, ability, or any other personal or that implies discrimination of any kind is a non-negotiable principle. Therefore, the IDC declares itself anti-fascist, anti-homophobic, anti-racist and anti-bullying.

The two-day assembly highlighted strong displays of solidarity and support for the United States West Coast longshoremen’s union, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which is currently negotiating a Master Agreement with the Pacific Maritime Association.

In reference to the situation in Latin America, the General Assembly was informed of the attacks suffered by workers in countries such as Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Ecuador, where the privatization of port areas, the vertical integration of companies and the non- recognition of the port profession are the order of the day. Reference was also made to the complicated personal situations in Colombia and El Salvador. In addition, the delegates showed their support for the recovery of the trade union heritage of the workers of Veracruz, Mexico.

The Coordination of the Latin American and Caribbean Zone has been reformed to give a more efficient and rapid response to the demands of the affiliated members.

For his part, the coordinator of the African Zone highlighted some of the achievements in Côte d’Ivoire, such as the legal recognition of port workers. In any case, the situation of workers on the African continent continues to be worrying due to the precariousness of jobs as a result of excessive permissiveness on the part of governments and in agreement with companies.

On the other hand, in the European Zone, the situation of union non-recognition of the stevedores of Trieste and Monfalcone, to whom the IDC provides logistical and institutional support, is worrying. In the UK, an alarming situation arose in several ports where longshoremen successfully negotiated their working conditions. This situation is similar to what has occurred in the Asia-Oceania Zone, in this case in Australia.

In addition, the IDC will closely follow the events against the stevedores in Portugal. According to Dennis A. Daggett, “Portugal is our new Liverpool and we will continue to do our utmost to resolve their situation.”

Other decisions were made during the 9th General Assembly of the IDC, whose motions were unanimously approved by the delegates present at the event.
Source: International Dockworkers’ Council (IDC)