24 August 1979

Strike in the Port of Rotterdam

The great strike in the port of Rotterdam starts on 24 August; it lasts for three weeks. Thirteen thousand men participate, but the official trade unions do not. The first days show "the well-known picture of an action that has just begun. It sometimes seems chaotic and disorganized. An answer must be found to counter attempts to cause confusion. Measures must be taken to position guards at the gates, there is no meeting center yet. . . ." Then, various groups establish a Joint Strike Committee with Flip Schults and Jim Stavinga as representatives. During mass outdoor meetings the Committee takes responsibility.
(text by Sjaak van der Velden)

See also:

•  Database Strikes in the Netherlands (in Dutch)
•  Solidariteitskomitee Havenarbeiders archive

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