We demand that shipping companies, Tug & Towage companies, Port Authorities, and other regulating bodies respect national and international health and safety regulations to provide a safe workplace for all.

It’s not surprising that workplace accidents are increasing in severity. Unsafe manning levels are more common. Legal rest times are being violated. Workers’ stress and fatigue levels are rising. The pressure being placed on tug and towage workers is pushing them to breaking point.

We urge Svitzer Australia management to immediately reach a resolution with our affiliate unions that respects Svitzer Australia workers’ rights and security. At the same time, we ask the Svitzer management team to treat our fellow Svitzer workers with due respect.

We call on the Svitzer UK to take responsibility and engage in meaningful negotiations with Unite the Union and its inland waterways transport workers to find the best solutions for decent wages and working hours and end the current trade dispute over Pay Claim.

Ten years after signing the European social partner’s agreement (SPA) on working time for inland waterways together with the European Social Partners – the European Barge Union (EBU) and the European Skippers’ Organisation (ESO) -the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) fully supports the European Commission’s recent urging all EU Member States (MS) to implement the Directive, regardless of the size of the inland water sector in their territory.