More police protests planned for Prinsjesdag in contract dispute

The police unions are planning more protest actions in the conflict between them and Minister Ard van der Steur of Security and justice for a better collective bargaining agreement for police officers. The unions will announce the exact actions later this afternoon, but it will involve protests around Prinsjesdag, NOS reports. The dispute between the unions and the Justice Minister has reached an impasse. The unions feel that Van der Steur's offer of a 500 euro once off lump sum and a 5.05 percent wage increase over two years is insufficient. The Minister has announced that no extra money will be made available, but that that they can still negotiate over working conditions. The dispute has reached a point where even the Tweede Kamer, lower house of parliament, is getting involved. A number of opposition parties want Van der Steur to make a new offer to end the police protests. The police unions have been protesting for a better collective bargaining agreement for months. This past weekend Dutch football association KNVB had to reschedule a number of matches in the Premier League due to the police strikes.