zoomImage Courtesy: Port of Gothenburg

The Swedish Dockworkers’ Union (SDU), which includes 85% of the dockworkers at the Gothenburg terminal, has imposed a ban on new recruitment and overtime hours at APM Terminals in Gothenburg from January 6 until February 28, 2017.

The ban on new recruitment, overtime work and the use of hourly paid contract workers at APM Terminals will remain in force until February 28 unless the dispute is resolved before this date, according to the Port of Gothenburg.

The dispute at APM Terminals Gothenburg saw another industrial action on January 24 with an eight-hour strike organized by the SDU. Caused by the change in the company’s personnel policies, the dispute has been ongoing since spring 2016.

The industrial action in January included a total work stoppage at the terminal between 12:00 and 20:00 local time.

Other terminals at the Port of Gothenburg are currently not affected by the dispute, the port informed.

Separately, APM Terminals revealed that it received a new strike notice by the SDU on February 14. According to the notice, the union will stage a new strike between 13:00 and 17:00 local time on February 21. The second strike will be organized later that day, at 22:00, and will last until 02:00, February 22. The third strike will be held between 12:00 and 22:00 on February 23.

“APM Terminals will continue to seek dialogue and discussions with the Dockworkers Union to reach a solution,” the terminal operator said.

In the dispute with the terminal operator, workers’ demands include guaranteed trade union rights, respect for the jurisdiction and the right to jobs, honoring standing agreements and other.