Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2003

Re:	DOCKWORKERS STRIKE - 11/17/03

Dear NASA Member:

The European dockworkers centered around the International Dockworkers Council (IDC) have reiterated in Paris their intention to continue defending their jobs against the threat of the possible approval, on the 17th of November, of the EU's Port Services Directive. The dockworkers will go on strike on November 17th, and in some countries it will last up to 48 hours. The strike will be followed by a demonstration in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where thousands of dockworkers will travel from all over the continent.

If approved, this Directive will establish self-handling in the ports. These terms have been widely rejected by the current labor in the ports, and in a wave of solidarity have succeeded in crossing borders generating an organized movement in defense of the dockworker profession. The concept of "self-handling" would allow the shipping companies to work without professional dockworkers which labor argues would trigger an increase in labor accidents, raise the price of the services and reduce free competition.

On November 17th the European Parliament will have to choose whether to approve or reject the Directive, in the meantime the dockworkers will demonstrate outside the Parliament. The IDC pleads for the rejection, contending that the present structure of the Directive only defends the interests of a reduced number of transnational companies and seriously harms those of the immense majority of European citizens.

The meeting of the IDC in Paris was attended by representatives of France, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus and Sweden, although its presence in Europe extends to Bulgaria, Denmark, England and Greece. For this reason a massive following of the strike is predicted in the main European ports. The contacts between the different Union organizations in Europe seem to be intensifying in order to obtain the maximum support for the actions on the 17th. If held, this strike will certainly affect cargo planned to depart on those days. We will keep you advised of any further developments as they occur. For individual container status please do not hesitate to contact your customer service representative.

Best regards,
The North American Shippers Association

Judy Mannix
Administrator