Port negotiations collapse as company withdraws, union declares permanent assembly

Negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement at Uruguay's Terminal Cuenca del Plata (TCP) have collapsed, with the union accusing the company of unilaterally withdrawing from talks. The Sindicato Único Portuario y Ramas Afines (Supra) stated that tripartite negotiations at the Ministry of Labor and Social Security failed after the company's decision.

The union expressed profound disappointment, asserting that they had made "unprecedented efforts" to achieve a "historic" collective agreement for the port sector. They claimed to have supported 100% of the company's demands, but their "level of will and commitment did not have reciprocity." The union representing workers from TCP-Nelsury and Katoen Natie, the main shareholder, accused the company of not reciprocating their efforts.

Following the "exhaustion of dialogue avenues," the union declared itself in "permanent assembly." They regretted any potential disruptions to port activities but reiterated that the solution and the will to resolve the situation "remain in the hands of the company's management."

Sources close to the company, however, told El País that the union presented a new demand for three points already discussed, and that there was "no more room to continue modifying the proposal." They stated that the company had already made its "maximum effort." The union's counteroffer, presented after an assembly on August 22, was deemed inconsistent with TCP's proposed improvements. The company, which manages the specialized container terminal, had previously informed users that it had made improvements on three points, including wage system adjustments and increased hourly rates for forklift operators, and that this proposal was final. The union, however, found it "insufficient."