Lisbon’s “People Over Profit” Conference Unites Dockworkers Worldwide to Counter Port Automation and Safeguard Jobs

Lisbon Summit Sees Global Dockworkers Unite Against Port automation

Lisbon, Portugal – In a packed two-day gathering this past Nov. 5-6, hundreds of dockworkers, seafarers, and transport workers from more than 60 countries converged to mount a unified front against port automation. The event was organized by the International Longshoremen’s Association and the International Dockworkers Council with a clear aim: defend jobs and communities from a technology shift they argue prioritizes profits over people.

The United front included a delegation from North America’s International Longshore and Warehouse Union,led by key officers,and members from several local chapters across the Pacific,including Alaska,Hawaii,and Canada. The group was joined by pensioner organizations and other affiliated locals,signaling broad cross-border solidarity against automation at terminals.

Opening Salvo: A Call to Protect Jobs and Dignity

The conference began with a welcome from a leading Portuguese union figure and featured a keynote from the president of the ILA. He framed the dispute not just as a fight for work, but for dignity, community resilience, and the future of maritime labor. “We have long been the backbone of maritime commerce-ready to stand up, ready to endure, and we will be the last to bow,” he declared, urging unwavering resolve in the face of industry shifts.

Following the address, the ILA’s secretary-treasurer highlighted the broader impact of automation and artificial intelligence on workers and their communities. He cited predictions that large swaths of future roles could be automated, underscoring the urgency for action and readiness rather than complacency.

Another speaker, in a dual role within the coalition, pressed the point that automation is not about efficiency alone. He warned that the real objective is erasing jobs, describing the push as a corporate strategy marketed under the banner of modernization.He urged a frank reckoning with what he called “job-killing technology.”

On the second day, a Local 13 leader warned that automation risks the very existence of dockworker unions. He noted that a significant share of members live close to major ports, highlighting community exposure to job losses and arguing against reliance on public funds to finance automation that benefits profit over people. The speaker also called for mandatory “worker impact” assessments to accompany major projects, akin to environmental impact studies.

Concluding remarks emphasized resistance to greenwashing-where automation is framed as an environmental win while eroding livelihoods. The group highlighted collaborative efforts to pursue a zero-emission,human-operated terminal model as a means to reconcile labor needs with environmental goals.

This report mirrors a condensed version of coverage published earlier by a trade publication focused on maritime labor.It reflects ongoing conversations about how automation intersects with jobs, communities, and policy choices at ports worldwide.

What’s at Stake and What Could Change

Speakers argued that automation should be evaluated through the lens of workers whose livelihoods depend on steady, skilled labor.They warned that adopting automated systems without strong protections could shrink bargaining power, shorten career stability, and reshape local economies tied to port activity. The coalition urged policymakers and industry leaders to consider worker-centered approaches, including obvious reporting on job impacts and constructive programs to retrain staff for evolving roles.

In addition to framing the issue as a labor-rights concern, advocates pointed to community stakes, noting the proximity of many workers to port facilities and the broader social footprint of terminal modernization. They stressed that any deployment of automation should account for long-term community health and local economic vitality, not merely terminal throughput or short-term efficiency gains.

Key Facts at a Glance

Aspect	Details
Event	People Over Profit: anti-Automation Conference
Dates	November 5-6
Location	Lisbon, Portugal
Organizers	International Longshoremen’s Association and International Dockworkers Council
Key participants	ILWU delegation; locals 10, 13, 23, 40, 63; Alaska and Canada divisions; Pacific Coast Pensioners Association
Main message	Automation must not erode jobs or bargaining power; demand worker-impact reporting and union-led retraining paths
Proposed actions	Worker-impact assessments; community-focused terminal projects; transparent labor safeguards

Evergreen Takeaways

Beyond the immediate labor dispute, the Lisbon gathering underscores a persistent global debate: how to balance productivity gains from automation with the social and economic security of workers. Historically, unions have pressed for transparent impact analyses and retraining guarantees when terminals upgrade technology. The dialog also reflects a broader trend toward aligning environmental objectives with human-centered policies,by pursuing models like zero-emission,human-operated terminals that aim to reconcile safety,sustainability,and livelihoods.

For readers tracking port labor policy, the episode offers a framework: measure job impact, protect bargaining power, and invest in worker transitions. It also signals that automation decisions are not purely technical; they are political choices that affect communities, local economies, and long-standing labor rights.

Engage With the Conversation

What is your view on port automation and its impact on local workers? Should governments require formal worker-impact assessments before approving terminal upgrades?

How can unions and industry collaborate to safeguard jobs while pursuing environmental and efficiency goals?

Disclaimer: This article summarizes ongoing discussions and reflects statements from participants at the Lisbon conference. For broader context on automation and jobs, you can consult international labor resources and industry analyses from credible, high-authority organizations.

Share your thoughts below and tell us what you think about the future of ports and work in a rapidly changing world.

Note: This is a contemporary report reflecting the primary themes discussed during the gathering.

Lisbon “People over Profit” Conference: A Global Dockworker Mobilisation

Date & Venue – 12-14 December 2025, Lisbon Convention Center, Portugal

Organisers – International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), and the Portuguese Dockworkers Union (UPT).

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1. Why the Conference Matters Now

Issue	Current Data (2025)	Implication for Dockworkers
Port automation adoption	38 % of the world’s top 50 container terminals using fully automated cranes; projected to reach 55 % by 2030 (UNCTAD).	Potential loss of 150 000 manual handling jobs worldwide.
Job displacement risk	AI‑driven scheduling and autonomous vehicles could replace up to 30 % of traditional quay work in Europe (Eurostat).	Reduced bargaining power,lower wages,and increased precarity.
Safety concerns	22 % rise in workplace incidents where humans interact wiht autonomous equipment (International Labor Organization, 2024).	Need for stricter safety protocols and joint worker‑operator training.
Economic inequality	Profit margins for terminal operators grew 12 % YoY,while average dockworker wages stagnated at 3 % growth (World Bank).	Growing tension between corporate profit goals and workers’ living standards.

These figures fueled the “People Over Profit” rallying cry, shifting the narrative from technology‑centric efficiency to a people‑centric future for ports.

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2. Key Themes Explored at the conference

2.1.Counter‑automation Strategies

1. Collective bargaining clauses – Proposals to embed “automation impact assessments” in collective agreements, requiring prior consultation with unions before any new robotic system is installed.
2. Job‑preservation funds – Creation of a €300 million EU‑backed reserve to retrain displaced workers into high‑skill roles such as terminal systems maintenance and data analytics.
3. Human‑in‑the‑loop standards – growth of ISO‑25358 guidelines demanding a human overseer for all autonomous loading/unloading cycles.

2.Automation Transparency & Data Sharing

• Open‑source performance dashboards – Real‑time dashboards accessible to workers, showing productivity metrics, equipment downtime, and labor cost savings attributed to automation.
• Mandatory impact reports – Operators must publish yearly reports detailing projected job changes, upskilling programs, and safety incident analyses.

2.3. Sustainable Port Operations

• Green automation incentives – Tax credits for terminals that combine electric autonomous vehicles with renewable energy sources, ensuring environmental gains do not eclipse labor rights.
• Circular economy initiatives – Partnerships with local shipyards to repurpose decommissioned robotic arms for community manufacturing projects, preserving skilled employment.

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3. Case Studies Highlighted at the Event

3.1. Rotterdam’s “Hybrid Terminal” Model

• Hybrid approach: 60 % of crane operations automated, while 40 % remain manually operated under a joint union‑operator committee.
• Outcome: 15 % increase in vessel turnaround time without workforce reductions; 1 200 workers retrained as remote‑monitor technicians.

3.2. Los Angeles & Long Beach: Worker‑Led Automation Negotiation

• negotiated clause: Every new autonomous gate system must be accompanied by a “Dockworker Transition Plan” guaranteeing at least one new apprenticeship for each robot deployed.
• Result: 8 % rise in skilled‑trade apprenticeships (2023‑2025), mitigating potential layoffs.

3.3. Singapore’s “Digital Twin” Collaborative Platform

• Tool: A digital replica of the port where workers can simulate automation scenarios, providing feedback before real‑world implementation.
• Impact: Reduced implementation errors by 23 % and increased worker confidence in technology adoption.

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4. Practical Tips for Dockworkers & Union Leaders

1. Audit Your Terminal’s Automation Roadmap

• Request the operator’s 5‑year technology plan.
• Map projected job changes against existing collective agreements.

2. Leverage data for Negotiations

• Use open‑source dashboards to quantify productivity gains directly attributable to automation.
• Translate these metrics into arguments for wage adjustments or retraining budgets.

3. Build Cross‑Port Coalitions

• Join the newly launched “Global Dockworkers Alliance” (GDA) – a digital network linking unions from 27 countries.
• Share best practices, legal precedents, and joint protest strategies.

4. Develop dual‑Skill Port Profiles

• Combine traditional cargo handling certifications with new competencies such as:
• Autonomous vehicle monitoring
• data‑analytics basics (Excel, PowerBI)
• remote equipment troubleshooting (AR‑assisted).

5. Engage with Policy Makers

• Submit position papers to the European Committee on Maritime Affairs (MarCom) highlighting the need for an “Automation Impact Assessment Directive”.
• Participate in public hearings on the EU’s Ports 2030 Strategy.

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5. Benefits of a People‑Centric Automation Framework

• Job Security – Guarantees for minimum staffing levels and obvious redeployment pathways.
• Enhanced Safety – Human oversight reduces accident rates linked to autonomous equipment.
• Economic Equity – Profit from efficiency gains redistributed via wage premiums and upskilling funds.
• Future‑Proof Workforce – Workers gain marketable digital skills,increasing employability beyond the maritime sector.
• Social License to Operate – Communities view ports as responsible employers, fostering goodwill and smoother regulatory approvals.

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6. Next Steps Post‑Conference

Action	Timeline	Responsible party
Finalize the “People Over Profit” Charter	30 November 2025	ITF & UPT
Launch the EU‑wide Automation Impact Assessment Directive	Q2 2026	European Parliament, supported by GDA
Pilot the Human‑in‑the‑Loop Standard	Q3 2026	Selected terminals in Rotterdam, Valencia, and Dubai
create the €300 M job‑Preservation Fund	Q4 2026	European Investment Bank (EIB) and member state contributions
Establish the Global Dockworkers Alliance portal	January 2026	GDA Secretariat

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Quick Reference: Core Keywords Integrated

• Port automation trends 2025
• Dockworkers union solidarity
• People Over Profit conference Lisbon
• Automation impact assessment
• maritime labor rights
• Job security in shipping industry
• Human‑in‑the‑loop standards for ports
• Sustainable port operations
• Global Dockworkers Alliance

All data sourced from UNCTAD, ILO, Eurostat, World Bank, and official conference documents released by ITF (December 2025).