Strike planned in European ports

Dockworkers across Europe have announced a major strike on October 30, with French ports expected to be nearly fully paralyzed, according to the Fédération Nationale des Ports et Docks CGT, the main dockers' union in France. The strike will involve 14,000 port workers, including about 7,500 dockers, across multiple ports such as Boulogne, Brest, Dunkerque, and others.

Strike targets militarization concerns

The strike was called in response to concerns over the "militarization of facilities" driven by the European Commission, according to the CGT. The union also opposes the government's budget proposal, which they argue undermines their social safety nets, and resists efforts to automate port operations, which they say could lead to job losses.

International solidarity among dockworkers

Dockworkers' unions from several European countries, including Spain, Greece, Slovenia, and Germany, have been invited to join the strike, according to the CGT's statement. This action is part of a broader movement that includes dockworkers in Turkey and India, all uniting against the use of ports in military activities.

Declaration rejects war infrastructure

Representatives from 35 European ports signed a joint declaration in Istanbul in May, stating that they refuse to make dockworkers part of the "chain of wars." The declaration criticized the transformation of ports and transport systems into "war infrastructure," emphasizing that ports "belong to the people and workers" and should not serve military alliances or private interests.