A two-hour, Europe-wide port stoppage has been called for next week as the International Dockworkers’ Council supports striking Spanish colleagues. Ports will be affected between 10 am and 12 noon on Thursday, June 29.

“This stoppage has been called for two main reasons: to support the struggle of Spanish dockworkers in their conflict with that nation’s government; and to fight the ultra-liberal model of the European Union that goes against the interests of workers and trade unions,” said the IDC.

Meanwhile, shipping lines have warned customers of more delays to their services, as the Spanish dockworkers announced further strikes.

The strike has so far cost the Spanish economy €110m, according to the government, as business is diverted elsewhere.

The IDC, which will meet with the Federation of European Private Port Operators and Terminals (FEPORT) this month, is arguing for equal rights for all dockworkers across Europe, as well as job security. It added that it is also devising a strategy to support dockworkers at the port of Gothenburg.