Labor & Employment Law

ILWU Urges Action to Help Costa Rica Dock Workers

By James Parks

The ILWU has run ads like this one in Costa Rican newspapers informing citizens of the illegal takeover on the docks.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) is calling on the United States government to take immediate action to stop Costa Rica’s attack on SINTRAJAP, that country’s dock workers union.

In a letter to President Obama, ILWU President Robert McElrath said the Costa Rican government is carrying out a plan to undermine and eventually eliminate the dockworkers union in order to privatize two of the country’s ports.

In January 2010, the state-owned agency that administers the ports of Costa Rica unilaterally removed the democratically elected leadership of SINTRAJAP and replaced them with a government-backed board of directors.

When the union’s members refused to allow the sham board of directors, who were backed by police officers, to take control of SINTRAJAP’s office building, the Costa Rican government froze the union’s bank accounts.

The International Transport Workers federation (ITF) reports that the workers began a strike April 12 at  the port in Limon. Police authorities have surrounded the port and workers fear there could be confrontations. Meanwhile, the port authorities have threatened to dismiss all the workers who are supporting the strike, ITF says.

 To download a copy of McElrath’s letter, click here.

 The ILWU Coast Longshore Division reports that its getting a strong positive response from citizens in Costa Rica and around the United States who are concerned about what action will be taken to help the dockworkers. Check here for daily updates.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on April 27, 2010 (boomark / email).