Train strikes on Friday to cause major disruptions across the Netherlands

FNV has announced that strike action will take place for trains in the centre of the Netherlands on Friday, June 6, followed by subsequent regional strikes, after Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) ignored the ultimatum put forward by the trade union for better wage increases. NS has since warned travellers to expect train traffic to come to a complete standstill on the day of the strike.

Dutch trains could come to a standstill on Friday amid NS strike

FNV has announced that the first series of strikes in public transport services will take place on the following dates, and it is expected that no trains will run as a result:

• June 6 - central region
• June 10 - western region
• June 12 - north-western and eastern regions 
• June 16 - northern and southern regions

If the parties still fail to reach an agreement, FNV warns that national strikes will follow. NS has advised rail passengers that it's possible that no trains will run across the whole of the Netherlands on Friday as the strike hits the heart of the rail services in Utrecht. 

NS ignores FNV wage demands

FNV gave NS until 5pm on June 3 to accept the trade union’s terms or industrial action would take place. As the Dutch rail company ignored these demands, public transport strikes will take place from Friday.

“NS lets it come to strikes and chooses to dupe the passengers,” wrote FNV in a statement. NS offered its staff an annual wage increase of 2,55 percent, which FNV believes is behind inflation. FNV is also demanding better employment conditions, including more leave days and equal treatment for staff working night shifts. 

“The NS staff is extra angry because the Board of Directors has achieved a wage increase of more than 20.000 euros per year in 2024. It seems that those who are closest to the fire, warm themselves best,” wrote FNV.