The common struggle of workers is the answer to imperialist war and exploitation
On 30 October, through strikes and mobilisations at more than 100 ports across Europe, the
Americas, Asia and Africa, dockworkers are strengthening the common struggle of workers
against imperialist war and exploitation.
From the ports of the United States to those of India, this international coordination among
trade unions represents an important achievement and a call to struggle for the working class in
every country.
The significance of this strike reaches far beyond the port gates. It concerns all workers.
Workers at key hubs of production and transport are coordinating their action, opposing the
transport of military equipment and demanding that their labour serve the needs of the peoples.
They bring to the fore the only force that, armed with its organisation, can put obstacles in the
way of the imperialists’ war machine, the working class, which holds the production and
distribution of wealth in its hands.
Dockworkers are giving their own answer to governments and all imperialist blocks and
alliances, to the US, NATO and the EU, which demand that workers fall into line behind war aims
serving the profits of capital. Workers in every country have every interest in joining forces and
directing their struggle against their exploiters and the warmongering policies of their
governments. The joint action of dockworkers in Greece and Turkey, together with their fellow
workers in other countries, strikes a blow against nationalism and strengthens class and
internationalist solidarity among workers.
Workers do not share the same homeland as their exploiters. On one side stands the homeland
of industrialists, bankers and shipowners, who fill their coffers with enormous profits and enjoy
the support of their state. On the other stands the homeland of workers, who experience the full
brutality of capitalism: poverty, war, unemployment, crimes committed by employers, 13-hour
working days and more.
Against the backdrop of the US–China confrontation and the conflict between the US, NATO
and the EU on one side and Russia on the other, rivalries over markets, energy resources and
transport routes heighten the danger of a generalised imperialist war. The New Democracy
government, with the support of the parties of Euro-Atlanticism, is drawing the country deeper
into these rivalries. Corporations are seeking a share of the spoils of war, while the people bear
the risks of ports and other infrastructure being turned into launchpads for war and targets for
retaliation. Involvement in war serves none of the interests of workers and the people!
We strengthen the front of struggle and expose who gains and who loses from this
confrontation, with its war budgets and costed policy programmes.
Adapting the economy to the needs of war demands new sacrifices from workers. Arms
spending and subsidies to corporations are financed by bleeding the people through taxation,
cutting spending on social needs and intensifying work. This is why the struggle against
imperialist war must grow stronger alongside the fight for wage increases, collective bargaining
agreements, stable jobs, shorter working hours, health and safety measures, and universal, free
public healthcare and education.
We resist attempts to impose “industrial peace” to intensify exploitation, as well as repression
and authoritarian measures in workplaces and attempts to restrict trade union activity.
On 30 October, we strengthen the struggle to disengage Greece from imperialist wars and
plans. The transport of military equipment through the country’s infrastructure must stop. Close
the US–NATO bases and bring home the Greek military missions deployed abroad. We express
our solidarity in practice with the Palestinian people and all peoples fighting to live freely in their
own land.
PAME salutes the contribution of ENEDEP and the trade unions working to ensure the success
of the strike. It calls on trade union organisations to support the strike actions and rallies with all
their strength. To take similar initiatives in their own sectors and strengthen joint action in
transport, energy, industry and metalworking, and in every workplace where production is
subordinated to war plans.
This day concerns all workers! In every workplace, workers must rise up and organise actions
and initiatives, so that workers do not become part of the war machine.
Let 30 October leave a strong legacy of organisation and internationalist action. Let us expand
the ties between trade unions in different countries. Let more workers join the struggle, confident
in their strength and maintaining a firm front against capital, governments and their imperialist
alliances.
On 30 October, the dockworkers’ struggle joins forces with the school and university student
rallies taking place that same day, strengthening the common struggle of workers and young
people. The mass mobilisations across Europe express popular discontent with the rising cost of
living and policies that sacrifice our needs.
Let us unite our struggles: Money for wages, housing, healthcare and education – no sacrifices
for their profits and wars!
Let Friday 30 October be a day of mobilisation of the whole people! All out for the rallies in
Elefsina, Lavrio, Thessaloniki, Patras, Igoumenitsa and Chalkida, and for the Piraeus-wide strike
at the country’s largest port!
We carry the struggle forward with even greater determination, with the nationwide general
strike on 25 November as the next major milestone!
Dockworkers don’t work for war!
Ports for the peoples and for peace – not bases for the imperialists!