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Joint statement from IBF (10/6)

The International Transport Workers’ Federation and the international shipowners’ Joint Negotiation Group have issued the following cooperative statement from their negotiations in the International Bargaining Forum, taking place in Tokyo. International Bargaining Forum Tokyo 5-6 October 2005 Negotiations in the International Bargaining Forum (IBF), between the ITF and the international shipowners’ Joint Negotiation Group, have concluded with a settlement described by both sides as a “significantly successful outcome.” Building on the first ever international collective bargaining agreement for workers across the world, and now covering 55,000 seafarers on over 3,200 ships, the new agreement includes: 1. A two-stage increase, based on the IBF model ship of 23 seafarers, from US$46,170 to US$48,478 on 1 January 2006 and to US$50,787 on 1 January 2007 2. A two-stage increase on contractual death and disability compensation of 5% on 1 January 2006 and an additional 5% on 1 January 2007 3. The provision of free shipboard email access for all seafarers, where appropriately equipped In particular, significant aspects of cooperation have been reached between the ITF and JNG on initiatives aimed at addressing the concerns on employment security held by seafarers from developed economies. An agreement has also been reached that the JNG will recommend to their shipowner principals that they should not use the services of non-union dockworkers. The ITF commented that “the negotiations had been difficult and touched on sensitive issues on both sides. However, there’s no doubt that the ITF and JNG relationship has reached a level of mutual respect that demonstrates what can be achieved through cooperation and a positive approach. “We have consolidated the innovative negotiating process and in doing so materially advanced the protection of seafarers’ employment and improved the conditions under which they serve.” The spokesman for the shipowners commented that “the negotiations had been long and complex as both sides had made proposals that involved both cost items and policy issues. Overall the settlement would strengthen the IBF system, provide mechanisms for discussing a number of outstanding issues as well as provide a satisfactory settlement that would appeal to seafarers and shipowners alike.” ###