Steve Cotton News

Maritime employers and seafarers’ unions have joined forces to publish new international ‘Guidance on Eliminating Shipboard Harassment and Bullying’. The new Guidelines, developed by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), can be downloaded from the ICS and ITF websites. These Guidelines have been launched in advance of an important International Labour Organization (ILO) Special Tripartite Committee on the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), to be held in February in Geneva, at which ICS and ITF will co-ordinate the representation of the social partners alongside governments.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) said it has welcomed today’s announcement that Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry is to be the next president of the World Maritime University (WMU) in Sweden. ITF general secretary Steve Cotton said, “This is great news, not just for the university but also for shipping and seafarers. Cotton added, “This job demands a world of knowledge, and she has it. The ITF is a long-time supporter of the World Maritime University, including financially via its charity arm…

International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN). award on behalf of Antwerp Port Authority at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva. recognition of the efforts made on a daily basis by the Antwerp port community on behalf of the many seafarers. port of and for people. presentation. skin colour, language or religious conviction. In fact there have been seamen’s missions in Antwerp from as early as 1870. computers, wifi and sports facilities so that they can relax and keep in touch while they are away from home. Hotel opened with budget-friendly accommodation for seafarers. welfare of seafarers. The port of Antwerp is particularly pleased with this second Welfare Award. international logistics chains that bind our city and port to the rest of the world.

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) has won a promise from the Honduran ambassador to the U.K. to investigate death threats and victimization of trade unionists in the city of Puerto Cortés. A high-level delegation made up of Steve Cotton, ITF acting general secretary; Paddy Crumlin, ITF president; Victor Crespo, president of the ITF-affiliated Sindicato Gremial de Trabajadores del Muelle (SGTM); and Tomas Abrahamsson, ITF maritime coordinator, won the assurance in a meeting with Ambassador Romero-Martinez yesterday.

ITF says affiliated international unions will support colleagues in the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) in a rapidly escalating multi-port labor disagreement. Published International Transport Federation (ITF) reports allege that grain companies have hired replacement non-union workers to take over work currently being done by ILWU members in case of a lockout in the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. At issue are the terms of a collective bargaining agreement between the union and employers. According to the ITF, negotiations began in late August 2012 and ended without a contract in mid-December. Acting ITF general secretary Steve Cotton said in a prepared statement, “ITF unions are on standby to help their colleagues in the US.

ITF inspectors visit ships to ask captains and companies to raise concerns about the way Walmart treats its US staff. The ITF is urging shipping firms carrying cargo owned by US retail giant Walmart to raise concerns over its treatment of US warehouse workers and warning of impending industrial action at the company over the coming holiday period. They are likely to to embark on industrial action on 23 November in protest over poverty pay and the downgrading of working conditions.

David Cockroft general secretary of the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) since 1993 reaches retirement age. The announcement was made at the meeting of the ITF executive board in Copenhagen, Denmark, which also agreed to appoint Stephen Cotton, who is currently ITF maritime coordinator, as acting general secretary. David Cockroft explained: “Next year I will have been the chief executive officer of this remarkable global union federation for 20 years. “I am very happy that the board has decided to appoint Stephen Cotton to this position. ITF president Paddy Crumlin added: "The unanimous decision of the executive board today reflects the mature leadership of David Cockroft and of the ITF.

The ITF (International Transport Workers Federation) gives a voice to a new generation at a new style 'Maritime Round Table' (MRT) conference in Morocco. The MRT, is a groundbreaking three day activists’ forum being held 25 - 27, September 2012 to build links between dockers’ and seafarers’ unions and help shape the future of the ITF’s campaigning on flags of convenience. Alongside the over 200 activists and future union leaders from 50 countries attending there will be a host of virtual participants who can join the debates via the internet and live online reporting of the event at www.dockers-seafarers.org/event/maritime-roundtable. A new website – www.dockers-seafarers.org – has been created to support the event and build on its achievements.

The ILWU and ILA recently met in Washington, D.C.: first item on agenda was report on progress of East Coast USA contract negotiations. The meeting was attended also by ITF President and Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) National Secretary Paddy Crumlin and ITF Maritime Coordinator Steve Cotton. The first item of business was a report from ILA President Harold Daggett on the progress of the New East Coast contract, particularly on the outcome of negotiations on the introduction of automation to the terminals covered under the contract. The ILA President reported that job security for displaced ILA members, including retraining into new maintenance jobs, was central to any agreed outcome.