Stevedores are aiming a raise in 50% over gaining and threat harsh measures if necessary to obtain it.
We have just met with stevedore union president and directors in our office upon their direct request. The purpose of the meeting was for they plea for wages and levies increase at 50% for all cargoes on PCC and Ro-Ro ships.
They reminded us that the CCT (Working Joint Convention Agreement) has expired on the 30.04.2018 and yet no further call to make a new agreement has been ventilated.
They will demand to have the increase paid retroactive to the date of 01.05.2018.
As you know whatever agreement over wages and taxes, the stevedores would have to make and official application directly to Sindop (Port Operators Syndicate) who is the official entity that represent all port operators.
However they opted to came directly to Marcon instead of call for the Sindop (Port Operators Syndicate), because Marcon is the only port operator who struggle to maintain the operational costs to lowest level possible so beneficiating the ship owners. Despite our position as port operator only, the union sees Marcon as the voice of ship owners.
As usual, we have tried to persuade to avoid it in this very moment when situation is no good for the market in general. After along exchanges of information of the market downing and operational difficulties etc., the stevedores are still adamant to plunge ahead towards signing new agreement (CCT) having a substantial increase their gaining to 50%.
Now they will convey their plea to Sindop and it will be discussed again in locus. We Marcon will take part on in order to avoid that any raise is given to them.
Moreover, FYI the High Court will be voting on the 14th forthcoming week, the uncountable risk additional tax and job peril tax as long discussed over port operations on national wide ranges, which may elevate the stevedores’ costs to 40% as requested. This matter is going on in court since 1996.
