Dow Jones Newswires -- October 14, 1997
Netherlands: Amsterdam
Dock Workers Call 24-Hour Strike

AP-Dow Jones News Service

AMSTERDAM -- Dock workers at the port of Amsterdam, one of the Netherlands' largest, called a 24-hour strike Tuesday to protest the firings of 315 reserve workers.

The strikers called on all harbor workers to join them in solidarity to protest the dismissals of the 315, who formed a pool of workers who could be called in when needed.

They were laid off because they were being paid full-time salaries whether there was work for them or not, a costly situation that harbor authorities said could not continue.

It was not immediately clear how many dock workers were heeding the call to stay off the job, early Wednesday.

The unrest did not affect activities at the port of Rotterdam, the world's busiest, but union leaders told Dutch television they were prepared to urge dock workers there to join as well.

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