European dockworkers initiate international strikes denouncing arms shipments and conditions

Dockworkers in Europe and beyond staged strikes on Friday to protest arms shipments and to demand better working conditions, unions said. 

Unions in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey and Morocco called for the strikes as part of an international campaign to demand an end to wars in the Middle East, including the war in Gaza, which the unions said are militarizing ports, ABC News reported. 

“Ports must not be used for the transport of weapons, ammunition, military equipment and troops. Dockworkers do not work for war!” the joint statement said. 

More than 100 ports across multiple countries participated in the protest, which could impact operations in parts of Europe, the Mediterranean region and North America, the organizers said.