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APM Terminals has issued a statement denying International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) claims concerning a dispute at the port of Aqaba, during which Jordanian employees within the General Union of Port Workers (GUPW) went on strike over contract changes and the company’s alleged failure to negotiate a Collective Bargaining Agreement at Aqaba Container Terminal.
APM Terminals claims the ITF’s statements are ‘misleading, incorrect and not supported by facts.’ “This is counterproductive and results in delays to the regional transportation hub of Jordan and global supply chains. The strike was premature and illegal especially when held during a formal mediation process which cannot be interpreted as a union victory,” commented APM Terminals’ regional chief executive officer, Peder Sondergaard.
The background to the case is that Aqaba Container Terminal is negotiating a new collective labour agreement with the GUPW. Prior to the expiration of the existing collective labour agreement, the case was referred to the Ministry of Labour for the formal mediation and arbitration process. The matter is now with the Labour Court and the ruling is expected soon. APM Terminals says it will respect and follow the decision of the Labour Court.
Jordan has a formal labour arbitration system and this takes place through the Ministry of Labour. If the unions and employers cannot agree, the process enters a ‘time out’ with formal mediation and arbitration to seek a solution. During this period, neither the unions nor the employer has the right to take industrial action such as strikes and lock-outs. Despite the ‘time out’ period, the union held an illegal strike in July and again in October, APM Terminals claims.
Aqaba Container Terminal has now signed a MOU with the local GUPW whereby they have agreed to return to work and follow the formal process that is in progress. “The Aqaba Container Terminal looks forward to working with the union to conclude this case and move forward. We have important work to do together to make the Jordanian gateway attractive to global trade,” added Mr Sondergaard.
The implications of the case could be wide-ranging APM Terminals points out. Mr Sondegaard said: ”Aqaba Container Terminal is the country’s only container terminal and is a major artery serving the population of Jordan and the many refugees from surrounding countries who are temporarily seeking shelter in Jordan. The container port’s services are essential to the country and it is in everybody’s interest to move forward and operate the port in a stable, highly efficient and productive manner.”
