ROTTERDAM dockers have voted unanimously to strike in the new year to fight against the prospect of massive job loss in Europe's largest and rapidly automating seaport, reports Lloyd's List.

Talks between the FNV Havens union and the port broke down in November over employee concerns that increased automation at Rotterdam's container facilities, particularly at the new Maasvalkte2 development, will lead to up to 800 layoffs by next year.

FN-Havens' members rejected the employer's final offer of a job guarantee through to July 1, 2020 in a ballot that took place at the end of last week.

The union reportedly wants job security until 2022 for all permanently employed on January 1, 2015. This is a comedown from previous demands for jobs till 2025.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority has until today, January 6, to respond after which a strike becomes inevitable, said the union.

"If they did not respond positively, we will introduce tough action in and around the container companies," said FNV union leader Niek Stam.