Maritime unions stand together against Ørsted US
Unions from 100 countries have signed a letter in support of US maritime unions, claiming offshore wind giant Ørsted has violated its own Code of Conduct with seafarers and dockers.
More than 215 unions have signed an open letter to Ørsted Group president and CEO Mads Nipper, as well as held protests in North America, Europe, Australia and the UK, claiming that the US branch of the company has broken promises to workers and union members and signed 20-year contracts with ‘anti-union’ shipping companies.
The leaders of the protest movement, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), International Dockworkers’ Council (IDC), International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United Federation of Workers in Denmark (3F), say that pledges made by Nipper at an ILA delegation in June to commit to labour unions and workers’ rights have not been honoured.
The pledges included negotiating training programmes and agreements with trades unions – however instead, the firm has signed contracts with ‘historically anti-union’ shipping companies, in ‘a direct violation of Ørsted’s Code of Conduct’.
“To our disappointment, there has been no progress on these commitments,” the letter says. “Seafarers and dockers are vital to Ørsted’s supply chain and our members are ready and able to cooperate with you to ensure the smooth delivery and continued service of Ørsted’s offshore wind projects globally.
“To that end, we also stand united in holding Ørsted accountable for its actions and for living up to its Code of Conduct in all countries it operates and throughout the company’s supply chain. We will not stand idly by as Ørsted US undermines standards on which Ørsted headquarters pride itself.”
