As of next Monday, June 25, members of the Dutch labour union FNV Streekvervoer will go on strike for an indefinite period of time. Labour union CNV Vakmensen is considering a three-day strike for the time being. This means that very few buses and regional trains will be running.

Unsuccessful negotiations

Strikes in the regional transport sectors in the Netherlands have been going on all year, with countrywide strikes occurring in January for an entire day, during the May holiday on April 30 and May 1, and regional relay strikes happening across the country as of recent.

The strikes are due to unsuccessful negotiations between Dutch labour unions and employers regarding the collective labour agreement, which governs working conditions for 12.000 employees. Amongst other things, the unions want a 3,5 percent raise in salary for their members, as well as toilet breaks every 2,5 hours, a better pension and measures to be taken to reduce work pressure.

Calling the strike off

The VWOV, the union that represents the employers at the regional transport companies Arriva, Connexxion, EBS, Keolis en Qbuzz, had previously agreed to make the toilet breaks possible; however, this was not enough for bus drivers. Negotiations have not gone anywhere since, or so it seems.

This has spurred on the choice to take more extreme action in order to reach an agreement on the collective labour terms. The date of the strike has been specifically chosen after Dutch secondary school exam re-sits to spare pupils the inconvenience. 

The VWOV wants to meet with the unions as quickly as possible to prevent the strike. They feel that it is in no one's interest. If the unions and employers reach an agreement this week, the strike will be called off.

Update: Strike will go ahead

No agreement has been made between the parties. The strike will therefore commence on Wednesday, June 27.