[080413.EN.SEA] Court Allows Striking Dockers To Petition Colleagues In Terminal Car Parks

A HONG KONG High Court judge has permitted a maximum of 80 striking dockers into container terminal car parks to recruit strikers among working employees, but not in the terminals themselves.

This amends an earlier temporary injunction which banned the striking dockers from the entirety of the Hongkong International Terminal (HIT) waterfront property, reported Sing Tao Daily.

Locally-owned terminal operator HIT, a division of Hutchison Whampoa, said it would appeal the ruling, reported the Hong Kong Economic Daily as the dockers' union declared victory.

Meanwhile more than 110 containerships were bound for Hong Kong where terminal operations have sharply slowed as striking dockers disrupt trucking in and out of quays, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence.

But the total number of vessels exposed to delays could be even larger, as the Lloyd's List Intelligence does not count vessels that skipped calls before the data was compiled.

With average berthing time exceeding 50 hours against the usual three hours, ships have diverted to Pearl River Delta ports because of disruptions caused by dockers camped out along roads outside the terminals.

MOL has diverted six vessels away from Hong Kong, Evergreen Marine has skipped up to four calls, and "K" Line has omitted two, according to company officials.

"K" Line estimated that around 100 vessels would need berthing space in the three days from late Wednesday and 40 might skip Hong Kong, revise port rotation or arrange mid-stream operations.

"These are relatively small vessels engaged in intra-Asia trades," said a "K" Line source.

The Hong Kong Shippers' Council has advised members to arrange alternative shipping routes.

High Court Judge Chen Mai-lan admonished striking dockers from obstructing container terminal officials or stevedoring contractors from doing their tasks, or using threats against colleagues who continue to work, reported Sing Tao Daily. The judge also barred strikers from entering terminals 4, 6, 7 and 8.

Sing Tao Daily reported that HIT that workers who stuck with the company during the strike would receive HK$5,000 each and also offered a five per cent cross-the-board pay increase in each of the next two years.

After the High Court ruling, Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Union officer Lee Cheuk-yan declared a victory for the dockers as did Port Industry Trade Union director general Ho Wai-han.

Source : HKSG, 08.04.13.