The union members were at the event to deliver a progress report on the continuing dialogue between the company and unions established by the ITF’s Maersk Network, which was set up to best represent the thousands of transport workers employed across the company (see https://goo.gl/C1eN1r).
The team of four attending the AGM was made up of: Karsten Kristensen from the 3F union in Denmark, and chair of the Maersk Network Steering Group; Donald Josberger from the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots in the USA; Joost Van Der Lecq of the FNV union of The Netherlands; and Steve Yandell, ITF senior section assistant, seafarers, fisheries and inland navigation.
The delegation informed the AGM of research that has been carried out amongst ITF affiliates worldwide on AP Moller Maersk corporate social responsibility policies. The research covered transport workers employed on ships, tugs and in ports.
The research found that in many Maersk workplaces positive dialogue and industrial relations exist. However there are still serious challenges in certain areas, in particular with regards to union recognition, and work is therefore needed to share best practice around all the regions of the world. The ITF wants to ensure that, as a major multinational company, Maersk continues to employ workers from all regions of the world, including northern Europe.
Speaking from London, ITF maritime coordinator Jacqueline Smith commented: “We are pleased that our delegation – with the help of our 3F colleagues, who kindly made their shares available – has been able to personally deliver to Maersk shareholders the message today that we aim to strengthen our constructive dialogue with the company and are looking to ensure that its corporate social responsibility policies are working.”
ITF seafarers’ section chair David Heindel concluded: “We look forward to continuing to engage with Maersk to achieve an environment throughout its operations that is good for workers and good for its business. A growing world economy with demand for trade worldwide is important for the health of the company’s shipping and ports business, and a profitable company is good for its workers.”
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