Rotterdam Dockworkers Likely to Stop Work Today

Port of Rotterdam The ultimatum given by Rotterdam dockworkers union FNV Havens to their employers at the port and the port authority has expired and the unions are gearing up to launch their announced strike. Following the expiration, FNV and CNV Vakmensen met yesterday to decide on the next actions at the port of Rotterdam which are to be disclosed today at noon. The Dutch union said that it expects first work stoppage to take place today. The talks between the two sides fell through in December last year as the employers and port authority left the negotiating table where discussions were being held with the unions on the financial contribution the port of Rotterdam is expected to pay to compensate for the social consequences of automation and overcapacity in the container sector. Namely, construction of automated terminals, including the second Maasvlakte in the next few years is expected to cost dockworkers hundreds of jobs. According to the union, in the gloomiest scenario up to 700 jobs out of the existing 4,000 could disappear by 2017. The dockworkers are asking for their jobs to be guaranteed at least until 2020, subject to possible extension should the overcapacity problem persist. Further details on the strike are expected further in the day. World Maritime News Staff