The hope for resumed discussions between Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG) and the unions FNV Havens and CNV Vakmensen regarding employment terms for employees, have hit more trouble.
Last week the unions were invited to talks with RWG away from the port. The result of which, according to Niek Stam from FNV Havens, came to nothing because the operator said that any collective labour agreement (CLA) is not representative of the workforce at the terminal.
Mr Stam told Port Strategy: “The way that the operator is going about the issue is not how 21st century business works. They invite us to the table but then they make us feel that our opinions don’t count and try and exclude various groups including office workers from any labour agreement.”
He said put simply, the unions just want a collective labour agreement (CLA) similar to what already exists at the privately operated terminals at Rotterdam.
“If you put aside a CLA you kill the union,” he said. “And if you do this you are back to a slavery situation where the worker has nothing to say about his conditions of employment. RWG’s directive on employment conditions is set by the employer only. Workers were not at the table and will not get a place at the table to negotiate on working conditions. In the Terms of Employment there is an article which says: ‘The workers will not ask for other working conditions’.”
He warned that this situation needs to be resolved otherwise the employer will be facing a long period of unrest from the unions. Apparently, they will already be meeting imminently to discuss strike action.
As for RWG, it said it has not ruled out discussion about a CLA and is “disappointed” that the unions have adopted this position.
It said it will not enforce any collective agreement on its employees without their express consent and that to date there has been no such request received from RWG employees. It did say though that it is ready to resume talks with the unions at any time.
Back in January, PS reported that there were rumblings of labour problems at the new terminal. Back then the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) urged all parties to get together and defuse the situation before it escalated, but it seems that it is too late.
