Callao Dockworkers’ Strike Set for Today

The APM Terminals is facing strike action in Callao, the chief seaport of Peru, starting today, May 13th, the port’s union of dockworkers Sutramporpc announced.

The union approved an indefinite strike at the latest general assembly due to the port operator’s failure to agree on improved collective working conditions proposed by the union.

The union said that the strike would affect operations of the North Pier of the port of Callao, which is undergoing a major makeover financed by the APM Terminals.

According to the union Secretary Geraldo Honores, the conflict between the two sides has worsened over the past few weeks, as the company has taken a prosecutorial attitude toward the workers who are merely seeking their rights.

“Our friends and colleagues in Peru have our unanimous support, as they get ready to take indefinite strike action. They have not taken this decision lightly, they have taken it in pursuit of fair and equitable working conditions in the port. We urge APMT to address those inequalities and step back from confrontation,” ITF president and chair of the ITF dockers’ section, Paddy Crumlin, explained.

The dockers’ section, which represents dockworkers’ unions worldwide, called on APM Terminals to, inter alia, engage in proper negotiations, end the discrimination against dockers; and agree wage increases in line with company profit.

APM Terminals did nor reply to request for comment sought by World Maritime News on the matter.

The dockworkers also called on DP World to recognise Sutramporpc and honour the decision of the Peruvian Constitutional Court to agree a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the union.

The announcement follows a 48 hour industrial action taken by Sutramporpc on April 14. Around 95% of port workers are affiliated with the union.

The port bears an extreme importance for Peru’s international trade as it handles majority of the country’s seaborne cargo.

APM Terminals launched a USD 750 million expansion project in Callao, Peru in 2013 bringing in giant infrastructure intended to handle large ships.

The project is expected to be completed in 2021, when APM Terminals Callao is set to have an annual container throughput capacity of 2.9 million TEUs and 15 million tons of bulk cargo.