Staff to Strike at Vopak after Wage Talks Break Down

Unions at Dutch oil storage company Vopak said staff would begin a series of strikes at the company's terminals after talks aimed at securing improved employment conditions for 800 staff broke down on Tuesday afternoon.

A union official said the strike would begin at 2000 GMT and last a total of four hours and would affect one oil terminal at the Europoort in Rotterdam. It would be followed by similar strikes at different terminals in the coming days.

"The work stoppages will continue until Vopak makes a better offer," said Ruud Wenneke of the FNV Havens union. He said all loading and unloading of transport vehicles would stop at the terminal during the stoppage.

Two unions, FNV Havens and CNV Vakmensen, are demanding jobs guarantees for staff at the company and a 3 percent pay hike.