Intersecting arcs of mobilisation: The transnational trajectories of Egyptian dockers’ unions

Abstract

This commentary explores the development of Egypt’s dockers’ unions since February 2011 in terms of two interlinked trajectories. On the one hand, the Egyptian revolution has provided the primary impetus for dockers’ industrial activism, as, like many other workers throughout Egypt, they have taken advantage of the political space suddenly opened up. However, although the Egyptian revolution may seem the most obvious driving force behind the growth of unions on the country’s docks, these advances also conform to a regional pattern. Since 2007 a campaign by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has seen new unions formed and collective bargaining rights won in many ports across the region, including in Bahrain, Jordan and Morocco. It is argued that the technical and industrial resources made available through the ITF’s activities and networks have, therefore, played an important role. The uncertain political environment in Egypt, however, threatens to stunt both the growth of independent unions, and curtail the support they receive from the international labour movement.