ROTTERDAM dockers staged a three-hour wildcat strike after rejecting Rotterdam port authorities' and employer' proposals about how to handle massive lay-offs expected when new technology is introduced.
Strikes took place at terminals operated by companies such as ECT Euromax and APM Terminals. This was after an offer made by the terminal operators and the container cargo lashing companies supported by the Rotterdam port authorities was rejected.
"The employees demand better measures to keep their jobs in the coming years. The unions fear that automation of the terminals will lead to hundreds of jobs being lost," said the FNV Havens union statement.
FNV Havens chief Niek Stam said his men want guarantees of no layoffs for nine years. Terminal automation is expected to cut 700 out of 4,000 jobs in 2017.
Major container employers ECT, APMT and RWG have rejected that demand in contract talks which have been running since April.
"The employers have said that they think that demand is not realistic, something of a different era," said port spokesman Sjaak Poppe.
WORLD SHIPPING
17 December 2015 - 11:16
Rotterdam dockers strike, reject automation because of huge job loss
ROTTERDAM dockers staged a three-hour wildcat strike after rejecting Rotterdam port authorities' and employer' proposals about how to handle massive lay-offs expected when new technology is introduced.
WORLD SHIPPING
17 December 2015 - 11:16
Rotterdam dockers strike, reject automation because of huge job loss
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