Union dockworkers have warned of possible strikes as part of a Europe-wide campaign against a proposed European Union plan to deregulate port services.

Members of the European Transport Workers' Federation from 22 countries meeting in Brussels unanimously agreed to take action in the event the EU directive is sanctioned early next year.

The draft directive is currently being examined by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union conciliation committee in the final stage of the EU's decision-making procedure. Its aim is to open up access to port services in EU member states in order to avoid distortions of competition;
increase the scope for self-handling of cargo by ship's crews rather than dockworkers, and open the pilotage and towing of ships to more competition.

Union workers fear the deregulation and self-handling provisions will reduce port authorities managing ports to service providers, and that port workers' safety will be at risk.

The original proposal was thrown out by the European Parliament just over a year ago after massive protests by longshoremen, and the new plan is attracting even more objections with port operators claiming it will scare off potential investors.