November 2000 saw a wave of labour unrest at Rotterdam docks in the Netherlands. Industrial action ensued when the container shipping company, ECT proposed a reorganisation that could entail the loss of 100-125 jobs, while HRS, another container shipping firm, filed for bankruptcy after instituting insolvency proceedings, with the possible loss of 220 jobs.
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November 2000 saw a wave of labour unrest at Rotterdam docks in the Netherlands. Industrial action ensued when the container shipping company, ECT proposed a reorganisation that could entail the loss of 100-125 jobs, while HRS, another container shipping firm, filed for bankruptcy after instituting insolvency proceedings, with the possible loss of 220 jobs.
In November 2000, a conflict arose about the number of jobs to be retained following sweeping reorganisation of the Rotterdam-based container shipping company ECT. Management wanted to eliminate 100 to 125 of a total of 2,200 jobs if no work was available for those concerned after one year of secondment to other activities. After negotiations and industrial action, the Dutch Trade Union Federation (Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging, FNV) and the Christian Trade Union Federation (Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond, CNV) agreed to accept the reorganisation on condition that all 125 jobs would be retained and no compulsory redundancies would ensue. The company is in serious financial trouble, as illustrated by a loss of NLG 40 million in 1999. In addition to operating profitably, management hopes that its reorganisation will help it to amass sufficient capital to invest in the construction of a new container terminal in cooperation with P&O Nedlloyd.
Similar labour unrest also developed in November at another Rotterdam-based container shipping company, HRS. Employees went on strike after the company instituted insolvency proceedings and subsequently filed for bankruptcy. During the summer of 2000, management presented a reorganisation plan proposing to cut half of the total of 220 jobs and to offer the remaining employees 90% of their current wages. At the time, the trade unions rejected the reorganisation and redundancy plan which included these elements. Although the current management considers the 1998 merger which created the company as the beginning of its decline, employees blame poor management and believe that the company's shareholders are trying to change HRS into a low-priced shipping firm for which lower collective agreement scales apply. The unions have commissioned a lawyer to assess claims of mismanagement and have requested the City of Rotterdam to help employees find other work or to offer additional training. Thanks to its attractive location, the bankrupt company is expected to change hands quickly, in which case a number of staff members will probably remain employed.
Eurofound raccomanda di citare questa pubblicazione nel seguente modo.
Eurofound (2000), Labour unrest in Rotterdam docks, article.
