President of the United Filipino
Seafarers, Nelson Ramirez said today that a court ruling in Sweden in
favour of the UFS was a landmark.
The UFS brought to court the Swedish Transport Workers' Union for
allegedly forcing the crew of the RICKMERS TIANJIN, under time charter to
Double C Shipping, to sign new collective bargaining agreements with the
International Transport Workers Federation.
The Polish and Filipino seafarers and the ship's owners refused to sign,
saying they had an agreement already drawn up with the United Filipino
Seafarers union.
However, as the ship was on time charter, the owners reluctantly agreed to
sign a new agreement with the ITF to avoid delays.
In a move that will surprise European union members, the owners took the
Swedish Union to court through the UFS who acted on their behalf.
The Swedish court ruled on 25th January that the new agreement was as
claimed null and void because the ITF had no authority over collective
bargaining agreements signed between the ship owner and another labour
union.
The ruling will be a blow to the ITF which has long sought to, as they see
it, champion the rights of Filipino and other nationals who historically
receive less remuneration and rights than other seafarers.
It is reported that this is the third such victory UFS have had in cases
where the ITF have tried to intervene in matters the Filipinos say are
between them and their employers.
The UFS was established 13 years ago and seeks, they say, to promote
better labour rights, working conditions and wages for its 35000 strong
members, but in tandem with better benefits for ship owners.
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