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ITF announces ‘momentous agreement’ (5/6)

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has announced that a fleet of runaway-flag tankers owned by a U.S. operator has been brought under ITF contract. The federation’s news release appears below and also is available on the ITF web site here Seafarers to gain from “100 per cent ITF coverage” of fleet Seafarers working on board a flag of convenience (FOC) fleet owned by a US tanker operator are on course for better pay and conditions thanks to a momentous agreement brokered by the ITF. Following several months of coordinated activities, ITF inspectors in the Americas reached the settlement with Texas-based Laurin Maritime (America) Incorporated, giving workers on its entire fleet the right to ITF minimum wages and conditions. Devised by inspectors from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the USA during workshops in September 2004, the concerted campaign to achieve “100 per cent coverage” of the operator’s fleet was implemented in October. This involved gathering information, inspecting ships and contacting the company and key charterers. As a result, Laurin agreed to implement ITF wages and conditions on all 14 of its vessels; previously agreement had been reached on only three. The company also took the decision to join the International Maritime Employers’ Committee and agreed to backdate the fleet agreement to 1 January 2005. Stephen Cotton, ITF Special Seafarers’ Section Secretary commented, “The pro-active and coordinated work of the inspectors means that seafarers on board all Laurin tankers will now enjoy the same ITF minimums. The inspectors are delighted with the outcome and are keen to continue working together to achieve the same coverage on another FOC fleet.” ###