core sector communique

Portuguese ports hit by strike action as workers protest against austerity cuts

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), the world’s leading maritime services provider, is warning of a series of strikes at all Portuguese ports during the remainder of September as workers protest against the government’s austerity measures. The strikes are expected to severely affect vessel movements in Portuguese ports.

The strike action follows the government’s move to reduce port workers wages by seven per cent and cut two additional salary payments each year as part of its austerity package.

The strike action will comprise:

Pilots strike:

From 00:00 hrs 17/09/12 until 00:01 hrs 19/09/12

From 00:00 hrs 25/09/12 until 00:01 hrs 27/09/12

Stevedores strike:

From 00:00 hrs 19/09/12 until 08:00 hrs 21/09/12 (except Leixoes)

Stevedores are due to meet as from 08:00 hrs 21/09/12 to evaluate the strike

From 00:00 hrs 25/09/12 until 08:00 hrs 29/09/12

Port Administration workers:

From 00:00 hrs 21/09/12 until 00:01 hrs 22/09/12

From 00:00 hrs 24/09/12 until 00:01 hrs 25/09/12

Port Administration workers also stopped working overtime from 10/09/12 for an undisclosed period, but this has not affected port movements to date, except at Portimao, where port movements are being affected.

ISS Iberia will continue to monitor developments and keep clients advised accordingly. Further updates will be posted on the ISS website www.iss-shipping.com

Inchcape Shipping Services is the world's leading maritime services provider. With 293 proprietary offices in 67 countries, and a workforce of over 3,700, the company’s diverse global customer base now includes owners and charterers in the oil, cruise, container and bulk commodity sectors as well as naval, government and inter-governmental organisations.

ISS provides landside commercial and humanitarian logistics, transit, offshore support, informational and other associated marine services. The company also provides a growing range of outsourcing services including global crew and marine spares logistics; port hub agency management; and sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning solutions through its subsidiary ShipNet.

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