After months of talks between unions representing Spanish Dockworkers, port employers and the Spanish government over a reform of port hiring practices, dockers at some of Spain’s largest port terminals held the first of several planned strikes this week.
The strike action, stemming from disagreements over the implementation of the government’s upcoming waterfront labor reforms, “follows months of labor slowdowns that have sharply reduced productivity and stoked fears carriers will permanently shift some calls that are being rerouted to rival ports in Morocco, Malta, and Portugal (JOC).” The dockworkers’ union estimates the government’s reforms could negatively impact the job security of more than 6,000 workers when enacted.
Beginning June 7th and 8th striking dockworkers worked alternate hours. An all-out strike is expected on June 14th and 15th with further alternate hour walkouts on June 19th, 21st and 23rd.
Deringer will continue to monitor and report on the strike situation in Spain. If you have any questions about your particular shipment, please send an email to marketing@anderinger.com.