Repression Against a Longshore Union and an International Response

Costa Rica’s government replaced the democratically elected longshore union leaders in March after the elected leadership refused to go along with the government-mandated privatization of Puerto Limon and Puerto Moin.

At the February 2010 General Assembly of the International Dockworkers Council in Charleston, South Carolina, affiliates resolved to raise protests with the main customers of the Costa Rico ports, including Dole, Maersk, and CMA CGA by demanding an end to the illegal replacement of the elected leadership of the union.

The IDC, together with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, started a letter-writing campaign from dockworkers around the world.

On April 12 longshore workers in the port of Limon went on strike despite threats by the port authorities that they would be dismissed.

To send a letter of support for the Costa Rica longshore union, click here.