Special Strike Report
In view of the ongoing developing situation and different communications and instructions being issued by Sanitary Authorities of the Argentine Government we have chosen to send a consolidated daily report at the closing of working hours with an update of the day’s news.
The strike situation at loading terminals in Argentina today, December 16th, noontime, local.
Strikes have been called out by two unions that are affecting some berths at ports in Argentina.
An ongoing conflict has been existent since mid-November 2020 which after sporadic stoppages came to a head first days of December.
Two unions are involved:
OCIU (Oilseed Crushing Industry Unions)
URGARA (Grain Surveyors Union)
On the other hand are the management of the owners of the grain companies who own oilseed crushing facilities, most of which are located in the ports from which they ship the production of the factories as well as using the facilities to ship grains also.
Thirdly there is the Government who should be mediating.
All ports that have crushing facilities are on strike from on/about December 09th since all the staff belong to OCIU, some loading facilities do not have crushing plants but nevertheless are staffed by OCIU affiliated employees. The strike consists of no-work, active picket lines at the gates, a minimal watch attending to safety needs and no attention at the berth.
Other facilities are NOT staffed by OCIU but are affected by URGARA (Grain Surveyors Union) who are essential participants in the vessel loading process.
Upriver
Renova (OCIU) – Not working. Vessel alongside
Cofco Timbues (OCIU) – Not working. Vessel alongside
LDC Timbues (OCIU)– Not working. Vessel alongside
ACA Timbues (URGARA) – Working normally. Vessel alongside. Agreement reached with Union on December 09th.
AGD Timbues (OCIU) – Not working. Berth free
Profertil (Fertilizer discharge) – Working. Berth free
Minera Alumbrera (OCIU) – Not working. Berth free
Terminal 6 (OCIU) – Not working. Vessel alongside at South Berth
Arauco (OCIU) – Not working. Berth free
Quebracho (OCIU) – Not working. Berth free
TFA (Fertilizer discharge) – Working. Vessel alongside
Cofco PGSM (OCIU) – Not working. Vessel alongside
ADM PGSM (URGARA)– Working. Berth free. Agreement reached with Union December 12th.
Bunge Pampa and Dempa (OCIU) – Not working. Berth free
ACA San Lorenzo (URGARA)– Working. Vessel alongside. Agreement reached with Union on December 09th.
Vicentin (OCIU) – Not working. Berth free
San Benito (OCIU) – Not working. Vessel alongside
Unidad 6 y 7 (Other Union) – Working. Not affected by the strike. Vessel alongside at Unit VII.
Cargill VGG (OCIU) – Not working. Vessel alongside
Cargill Punta Alvear (OCIU) – Not working. Vessel alongside
LDC Lagos (OCIU) – Not working. Vessel alongside
ADM Arroyo Seco (URGARA)– Working. Berth free. Agreement reached with Union on December 12th.
Necochea:
TQQ berths 6, 4/5 (URGARA) Working. Berths free Agreement reached with Union on December 09th.
ACA Necochea berths 2/3 (URGARA) Working. Vessel alongside Agreement reached with Union on December 09th.
Sitio Zero (URGARA) Working. Vessel berthing this evening Agreement reached with Union on December 09th.
Bahia Blanca:
ADM Bahia Blanca (URGARA) Working. Berth free
TBB (URGARA) Negotiations underway with union to resume work. Berth free.
Cargill Bahia Blanca (OCIU) Not working. Vessel alongside
Profertil (Fertilzer) Working
LDC Bahia Blanca (OCIU) Not working. Vessel alongside
IT NEEDS TO BE STRESSED THAT THE STRIKE INVOLVES THESE TWO UNIONS. ALL OTHER PORTS IN ARGENTINA ARE WORKING NORMALLY. FERTILIZERS, PETROLEUM PROUCTS, CHEMICALS, GENERAL CARGO BERTHS AND CONTAINER BERTHS WHO NOT AFFILIATED TO THESE TWO UNIONS ARE PERFORMING NORMALLY.
The argument is a wage adjustment which arises at the end of the year. Both sides accuse the other of bad faith. OCIU extend the strike after daily pm meeting for a further 24 hours until an agreement is reached. URGARA on the other hand are reaching agreements with individual players and lift the strikes as detailed above.
The Government. They have failed to help this process. The Government’s contribution makes a bad situation worse. Like Maradona’s funeral with social distancing in the middle of the Covid 19 Pandemic:
Will keep you posted.
Best regards,
Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.
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