28 March 2017
ITF delivers satisfactory progress report to Maersk AGM
A four-strong team of representatives from ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) unions today committed to
continued dialogue with AP Møller-Mærsk at the company’s AGM in Copenhagen.
The union members were at the event to deliver a progress report on the continuing dialogue between the company and
unions established by the ITF’s Maersk Network, which was set up to best represent the thousands of transport workers
employed across the company (see https://goo.gl/C1eN1r).
The team of four attending the AGM was made up of: Karsten Kristensen from the 3F union in Denmark, and chair of the
Maersk Network Steering Group; Donald Josberger from the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots in the USA; Joost Van Der Lecq of the FNV union of The Netherlands; and Steve Yandell, ITF senior section
assistant, seafarers, fisheries and inland navigation.
The delegation informed the AGM of research that has been carried out amongst ITF affiliates worldwide on AP Moller
Maersk corporate social responsibility policies. The research covered transport workers employed on ships, tugs and in
ports.
The research found that in many Maersk workplaces positive dialogue and industrial relations exist. However there are
still serious challenges in certain areas, in particular with regards to union recognition, and work is therefore needed
to share best practice around all the regions of the world. The ITF wants to ensure that, as a major multinational
company, Maersk continues to employ workers from all regions of the world, including northern Europe.
Speaking from London, ITF maritime coordinator Jacqueline Smith commented: “We are pleased that our delegation – with
the help of our 3F colleagues, who kindly made their shares available – has been able to personally deliver to Maersk
shareholders the message today that we aim to strengthen our constructive dialogue with the company and are looking to
ensure that its corporate social responsibility policies are working.”
ITF seafarers’ section chair David Heindel concluded: “We look forward to continuing to engage with Maersk to achieve an
environment throughout its operations that is good for workers and good for its business. A growing world economy with
demand for trade worldwide is important for the health of the company’s shipping and ports business, and a profitable
company is good for its workers.”
ENDS