Widespread work disruptions and other actions are planned by European dockworkers later this week and next week, according to the European Transport Workers' Federation.

Eduardo Chagas, secretary of the ETF's dockers' section, said the actions range from informational meetings at ports in the United Kingdom, to a one-day strike in Belgium on Friday to a weeklong shutdown of ports in Spain from Jan. 20-24.

He said various sorts of work disruptions or protests are planned at ports in the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, and Italy. Dockworkers are protesting the European Union's port services directive, which aims to create more competition in ports and give ship owners the option of handling cargo on their own vessels. The directive will be considered by the European Parliament's Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism next Monday. Chagas says unions are concerned that mariners may perform work traditionally done by dockworkers and that new companies may undercut benefits or other protections that the unions have won for their members over the years.

By Chris Dupin