ILWU Urges Action to Help Costa Rica Dockworkers

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) is calling on the U.S. government to take immediate action to stop Costa Rica’s attack on SINTRAJAP, that country’s dockworkers union.

In a letter to President Obama, ILWU President Robert McEllrath said the Costa Rican government is carrying out a plan to undermine and eventually eliminate the dockworkers union in order to privatize two of the country’s ports.

In January 2010, the state-owned agency that administers the ports of Costa Rica unilaterally removed the democratically elected leadership of SINTRAJAP and replaced them with a government-backed board of directors.

When the union’s members refused to allow the sham board of directors, who were backed by police officers, to take control of SINTRAJAP’s office building, the Costa Rican government froze the union’s bank accounts.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) reports that the workers began a strike April 12 at the port in Limon. Police authorities have surrounded the port and workers fear there could be confrontations. Meanwhile, the port authorities have threatened to dismiss all the workers who are supporting the strike, ITF says.

To download a copy of McEllrath’s letter, click here.

The ILWU Coast Longshore Division reports that its getting a strong positive response from citizens in Costa Rica and around the United States who are concerned about what action will be taken to help the dockworkers. Check here for daily updates.