Train strikes likely over as trade union reaches agreement with ProRail

Trade unions have agreed on a new Collective Labor Agreement with government railway manager ProRail. This was reported by the trade union FNV, which was the last trade union to reach an agreement with the company. This agreement means that all plans for new strikes are scrapped. The last few weeks have seen traffic controllers temporarily halt regional train traffic for several days.

"After long-term negotiations, the trade unions FNV, CNV VHS, and ProRail achieved a joint and supported result for the collective labor agreement on Friday, November 29,” FNV and ProRail reported on their websites.

The result will be presented to the members of the unions in the coming week. If they agree to it, then the final agreement will be signed on December 10. Details about the content of the result will be announced early next week, according to FNV and ProRail.

The negotiations about the Collective Labor Agreement with ProRail were at a standstill for a long time. FNV demanded a wage increase of 13 percent, whereas ProRail was offering an increase of an average of 5.2 percent.

ProRail staff went on strike several times during the morning rush hour times, to aid the union’s demands. This happened in various regions on differing days, which led to almost all of the trains being canceled. It was reported last week that the FNV and ProRail were going to resume negotiations.