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Baltic actions recoup $471,000 for crews (10/24)

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) reports that its recent Baltic Week of Action proved quite successful. From Oct. 9-13, 200 ships were inspected, three ITF contracts were signed and $471,000 in back wages were paid to crew members. The federation’s recap of the week appears below and also is available on the ITF web site HERE Baltic actions recoup nearly half a million US$ for crew Two hundred ships were inspected, three collective agreements were signed and US$471,000 in back wages were paid to crew during the ITF’s Baltic Week of Action on 9-13 October. This year’s Baltic campaign week took the slogan “Keep the Baltic Clean!” It aimed to target substandard shipping and strengthen trade union organization, and involved ITF affiliates in nine countries: Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Inspection teams involving a mix of nationalities as well as both dockers’ and seafarers’ representatives carried out the inspections. A coordination center was established in Tallinn, Estonia, which was responsible for publishing regular reports and briefings. “The inspection teams carried out an average of 40 inspections each day, which was great work,” said Jaanus Kuiv, ITF inspector in Estonia. “Efficient communication from the inspectors and cooperation from the coordination center resulted in a very good and successful event.” ###