Court bans PostNL strikes over Christmas period

Trade union FNV is not allowed to organize any strikes at PostNL in the coming weeks, the court in The Hague ruled in summary proceedings filed by the Dutch postal service, NOS reports.

PostNL argued that strikes during the busy Christmas period would cause "disproportionate damage and risks". Strikes would result in millions of euros of damages and severely affect customers waiting for mail and parcels, according to the company.

The postal service also called strikes premature, as the company and unions are still negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. It is for that reason that FNV is the only one of four unions now threatening strikes, PostNL said, according to the broadcaster.

PostNL is satisfied with the court's ruling, a spokesperson said to NOS. "We call on FNV to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible, so that we can reach a collective bargaining agreement as soon as possible."

FNV is dissatisfied, Ger Deleij of the union said to NOS. "PostNL now seems to have its way, but the dissatisfaction and unrest are certainly not gone. Many employees consider this step by PostNL to be an unacceptable form of intimidation that does not suit a company that always presents itself as social."