"Trade union wins in Aqaba dispute", 21 Oct 2014

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) is pleased to announce that port workers at the Aqaba Container Terminals (ACT) facility in Jordan run by APM Terminals have gained a victory following international protests against a police roundup of union members.

Workers represented by the ITF-affiliated General Union of Port Workers went on strike last week over contract changes and ACT management’s failure to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement due since July.

Almost as soon as the strike began police raided the site and arrested 150, including the union’s leaders. Despite this and the attempted pre-prepared use of strikebreakers, the union – buoyed by support from the ITF and its affiliated unions in the region and globally – maintained its strike.

It has now won its case, including the company’s waiving all penalties imposed during the strike, in particular rescinding 23 sackings; and a renewed commitment from the Jordanian government to have its grievances addressed by the national labour court...