News & Insights

New and tougher industrial actions from Swedish Dockworkers Union

APM Terminals Gothenburg has received notice of four industrial actions from the Swedish Dockworkers Union, section 4 (SDU) to:

1) not use of pool workers (“Blixt”) driving straddle carriers without instructors effect from 1st June 2017 at 24.00hrs. and last until 30th June 2017 24.00hrs

2) no use of overtime effect as of 15th May 2017 16.00hrs. and last until 30th June 2017 24.00hrs. 

3) no hiring effect as of 15th May 2017 16.00hrs. and last until 30th June 2017 24.00hrs. 

4) not use of pool workers (“Blixt”) outside daytime working hours 07.00hrs. until 16.00hrs. effect as of 15th May 2017 16.00hrs. and last until 30th June 2017 24.00hrs. 

This will further restrict our daily operations, which is unacceptable. APM Terminals Gothenburg now reviews the impact for the Swedish industry and logistic providers. However, this will unfortunately further reduce the weekly capacity. 

SDU states, that they demand a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with APM Terminals Gothenburg. APM Terminals Gothenburg already operates under a CBA between the Swedish Transport Union and Swedish Port Association. Swedish Mediation Institute has on two occasions offered SDU agreements compliant to the Swedish law and Swedish labor model. SDU has rejected both offers where APM Terminals Gothenburg has confirmed both offers. 

In an effort to bring the daily operation back to normal production level, APM Terminals Gothenburg recently invited all CBA holding unions to an increased cooperation within a number of strategic areas. SDU was also invited provided that they commit to a 
12-months period without any industrial actions, equivalent to previously proposed by the Swedish Mediation Institute. Again, SDU rejected this form of agreement. 

We will continue our efforts for a long-term solution.

Best regards
APM Terminals Gothenburg

Source : APM Terminals, Gothenburg