If Monday’s talks with national train operator NS reach an impasse, railway workers will strike again on Tuesday, rail union VVMC has said.
If it goes ahead Tuesday’s strike, the fourth in quick succession, would affect services in the north west and the east of the country, including Amsterdam and Schiphol airport.
Railway workers are calling for a 6% pay rise, but NS had refused to go higher than 2.55%. The unions also want improved early retirement provisions for staff engaged in heavy physical labour.
That bid has since been upped to 3.25%, with a wage increase of 2.27% from March 1. VVMC spoke of an “underwhelming” offer but said it was willing to negotiate.
Union FNV says it is also willing to come to the table, but would not rule out strike action while union CNV said it would not call its members to strike until at least Wednesday.
According to NS chief Wouter Koolmees, the unions are being too rigid in their demands. “It takes two to negotiate,” he said. The unions that are planning strike action for Tuesday show little willingness to deviate from their demands. But what they want is simply too big a financial burden for the NS.”
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.
We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.
Make a donation
