Rotterdam’s port workers vote again to strike

Container workers members of Rotterdam dockers’ union FNV Havens have almost unanimously rejected the port’s employers’ final offer and have voted to strike in 2016 to protest against potential job losses at the port’s new highly automated container terminals.

The union presented to employers an ultimatum which expires on January 6, 2016. If the employers do not respond in line with the union’s requests by that date, a series of strikes are expected to be implemented as from January.

The union claimed that it expects up to 800 people to lose their job due to expansion and automation plans at the port, especially once the port’s highly automated Maasvlakte 2 terminals become fully operational.