/Reuters Agency
Hundreds of strikers at the Port of Rotterdam will suspend their strike for at least five days starting Monday, October 13, as union leaders and employers try to reach an agreement on a new wage deal.
The mobilization of these workers, whose job is to secure the cargo on container ships, began on Wednesday the 8th and has caused a buildup of vessels in Europe’s largest port.
The companies operating in the port asked a court on Saturday the 11th to stop the strike, which has been supported by the approximately 700 active workers in the port area, preventing any container ship from loading or unloading since it began.
During the court hearing, the FNV union and the companies agreed to start a new round of negotiations on Sunday the 12th, with the strike suspended from 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Monday the 13th until the same time on Friday the 17th.
The court indicated on Saturday night that the strike could resume if no agreement is reached by then. In that case, the companies would be authorized to request a court ruling on the mobilization.
