Inchcape Shipping Services Chile has informed its clients of service disruptions due to the Southern Port Workers Union’s (Unión de Trabajadores del Sur) 24-hour strike throughout Chilean ports set to start today from 8 AM local time.
The strike is planned at the following ports: Chile, Corral, Puerto Montt, Calbuco, Chacabuco and Punta Arenas. ISS Chile does not exclude the possibility that other Chilean ports may also be included.
All operations will be suspended during this time and import/export activities could also be affected, according to ISS Chile.
Ricardo Cárcamo, ISS Puerto Montt Chile P ort Manager, told World Maritime News Staff that the reasons behind the strike are the low amount of pensions granted by the government, refusal by certain companies to deliver Dockers certification, as well as changes that according to the Union need to be done to the existing Social Security System.
Last week, the Chilean National Association of Customs Officials (ANEF) staged a two-day industrial action across a number of ports, including the ports of Chacabuco and Punta Arenas, after failing to agree over pay between the government and public sector representatives.
Press Release