Dockworkers stage anti-war action across 113 ports worldwide

On October 30, more than 25 unions are staging strikes and demonstrations at 113 ports across 22 countries and territories. It is one of the largest coordinated international mobilisations of port workers in history, Splash247 reports.

Scale of the port action

Major ports involved in the action include Hamburg, Le Havre, Marseille, Genoa, Gioia Tauro, Piraeus, Tangier Med, Mersin and India’s Nhava Sheva. The campaign has expanded significantly since a February mobilisation involving 20 ports in seven countries.

“Dockworkers do not work for war” is the slogan of the international action.

Union demands

The campaign primarily opposes military cargo shipments through civilian ports. Its other demands include better pay and working conditions, as well as protection for workers against the effects of automation.

The scale of the action is unprecedented for this campaign, but claims that it is the world’s largest port strike remain unverified. In January 1997, an international solidarity campaign for Liverpool dockworkers involved 105 ports and cities across 27 countries. No further date for a worldwide coordinated strike has been announced, Splash247 writes.

Ukrainian port context

Following Russian attacks, cargo handling at Greater Odesa ports fell more than fifteenfold after July 22, NV reported.