Another positive result is recorded in the struggle given by the COSCO dockworkers in Piraeus.
COSCO Multinational, after the 7-day strike of the workers was forced to accept demands regarding the protection of workers in the workplace. Also yesterday, December 1st, under the determination of the workers, who had started a new 48-hour strike, forced the employer to accept the start of negotiations with the ENEDEP Union for the signing of a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
It should be noted that until now the employer refused to recognize the ENEDEP Union, promoting the mechanism that it has created as a representative union of the area.
According to e-mail sent by the employer to ENEDEP, the negotiations for the signing of Collective Contract will start on December 17.
Shortly before this development, the employer had again attempted to criminalize the workers’ strike, demanding that the 48-hour strike be declared illegal and abusive by requesting precautionary measures (the second within 24 hours). In the Courts of Piraeus with the well-known summary proceedings and with the witness the chief of staff Michalis Katsafados (relative (?) of the Minister of Maritime) characterized the strike as illegal. The dockworkers did not obey to this decision.
Following the company’s response that the negotiations for the Contract start on December 17, the workers in their general meeting decided to return to their posts and remain on standby until a satisfactory Collective Bargaining Agreement is signed based on their fair demands.
“They know that when the workers decide that the port will be closed, the port will be closed,” said the president of the ENEDEP, Markos Bekris, making it clear that the workers are determined to claim their demands to work and be paid to live with dignity, with humane working conditions.
Photos https://flic.kr/s/aHsmXc4mVz
