Vopak Workers Plan One Day Strike at 11 Dutch Terminals
Posted by Eric Haun
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Vopak workers are planning strike action at all 11 of the company's oil, gas and chemical terminals in the Netherlands on April 22, union officials said on Wednesday.
Union official Albert van Damme said the strike action would effectively halt operations at the terminals during the morning shift, which runs from 7 am to 3 pm, leaving only enough workers to ensure safety.
He said there were no further talks scheduled between Vopak and the CNV Vakmensen and FNV Havens unions that represent the company's 800 staff in the Netherlands.
Efforts to reach an agreement between unions and the company broke down on Tuesday evening, and limited strike action began on Wednesday at the company's oil and gas storage terminal at the Dutch port of Vlissingen. The unions are seeking jobs guarantees and a 3 percent pay hike for some 800 staff.
(Reporting By Libby George, editing by William Hardy)