Rotterdam dockworkers authorize strikes against container terminals

FNV Ports union, concerned about jobs being eliminated when two new automated container terminals open at the Port of Rotterdam, is planning 24-hour strikes in December and January, according to reports from Reuters.    Members of the FNV Ports union, which represents dockworkers in the Port of Rotterdam, last week authorized strikes against container terminals.
   The major container terminals in the port are operated by ECT, APM Terminals and RWG.
   Reuters said the union has voted to carry out a series of 24-hour strikes in December and January.
   The union is reportedly concerned about jobs being eliminated when two new automated container terminals operated by APMT and RWG at the Maasvlakte facility become fully operational.
   FNV said under the worst case scenario, terminal automation could cause 700 of 4,000 jobs to disappear after 2017.
   The union is seeking a job guarantee until 2024 for all employees who had a permanent job on Jan. 1 this year at one of the Port of Rotterdam’s container terminals.