Tugboat and salvage worker strike at Smit Internationale achieves better collective terms

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Tugboat and salvage workers at the maritime company Smit Internationale came out in strike in November 2005, after collective bargaining rounds ran aground. In addition to increased pay and price compensation, compensation for overtime and treatment by management were on the agenda. In the wake of various 12-hour strikes affecting different divisions within the company, the Allied Unions (FNV Bondgenoten) are again in a position to put a new proposal for a collective agreement to their members.

At the end of November 2005, some 240 tugboat workers came out in strike after collective bargaining ground to a halt at the maritime company Smit Internationale. The tugboat workers, who held two 12-hour strikes, were soon followed by other staff members including 250 salvage workers who also came out in strike for a limited number of hours. The tugboat workers operate in the Port of Rotterdam and are accountable for carrying out more than 60% of the port towage services there. The salvage workers operate worldwide, carrying out projects in the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil.

The industrial action was sparked off when collective bargaining rounds stranded concerning diverse points such as scope for wage increases and corporate culture. The tugboat workers are calling for a 1.25% wage increase, while management is only willing to meet their demands half way. A lack of compensation for the first obligatory hour of overtime is another stumbling block. In less rosy years affecting the company, the tugboat workers had agreed to remain available for an extra hour - and at no extra charge - after having completed a week-long shift on board the boat. Now that the listed company is performing far better again, following a reorganisation after which only 240 of the former 1,000-strong workforce remain in service, the tugboat workers would like to say goodbye to the extra hour of overtime or be paid for it. Finally, the tugboat workers, many of whom have been in the company’s service for 30 years or longer, feel that the new management treat them with arrogance. Within the space of two years, upper management have enjoyed a 10% wage increase; the tugboat workers are making an issue of 1% more.

Backed by the strikes, the Allied Unions (FNV Bondgenoten) succeeded in negotiating better collective terms for the tugboat workers. The collective agreement applies for a term of two years and upholds price compensation of 2.2%. Additionally, the wage increase of 1.25% agreed for 2005 will also apply in 2006. The repudiated overtime arrangement has been scrapped with immediate effect; the first hour will also be paid for in the future. Furthermore, agreements have been reached with respect to travel expenses and the Work and Income according to Labour Capacity Act (Werk en Inkomen naar Arbeidsvermogen, WIA), which is set to replace the Occupational Disability Act (Wet op de Arbeidsongeschiktheidsverzekering, WAO). Similar scope for wage increases has been agreed with the salvage workers, and bonuses for working abroad have been raised. This collective agreement will continue to apply for a three-year period. The trade union members voted in favour of the negotiation results.

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