Lisbon Dockworkers Extend Strike until End of January

Image Courtesy: Port of Lisbon

The dockworkers’ union plans to extend its strike in the Port of Lisbon, Portugal until the end of January, claiming that they are yet to receive their December salaries, local media report.

The dockworkers have been protesting since November 14th, the date when their previous collective agreement expired, as they struggle to reach a new collective bargaining agreement with their employers.

The relevant parties have been trying to come to terms on a new deal since March 2015.

The protracted talks have been abandoned several times as the two sides were unsuccessful in reaching an acceptable agreement for both sides. However, based on the latest updates, both the union and port authorities seem to have returned to the negotiating table.

Stevedores are asking for better working conditions in addition to voicing their opposition to hiring of cheaper foreign labor force especially following last year’s Yıldırım Group’s acquisition of a Portuguese port management company TERTIR for a total of EUR 335 million.

TERTIR’s portfolio is comprised of ten port terminals in total: seven of which are in Portugal, two in Spain and one in Peru.

The transaction is also the largest investment ever by a Turkish company into Portugal.