Police and unions reach a deal on early retirement; Strikes called off

The unions representing police officers have reached a deal with police management on early retirement. Police officers born in 1961 or earlier can stop working three years before their state pension kicks in, and bridge that period with a police benefit, the agreement states.

The police officers have recently been campaigning on the issue in various demonstrations and strike actions, including a refusal to handle policing duties outside contentious football rivalry matches. The issue reached a critical point because the national government’s Early Retirement Scheme (RVU) expires at the end of next year. The RVU allows people with demanding jobs to retire earlier.

The negotiators representing the police department, which is struggling with staff shortages, and the unions also reached an agreement to encourage working longer. Police officers born in 1961 who continue working at least until they reach pension age will receive a bonus.

Aside from walking off the job in planned labor actions at some football matches, police officers also stopped issuing fines for minor violations. New labor actions were to follow next week, which have now been suspended. The unions' members still have to agree to the agreement.

Minister of Justice David van Weel is pleased with the agreement. He is "grateful to the police unions, the police and the employees of the Ministry of Justice and Security for their efforts to achieve this great result".

The police unions said they are pleased about the deal. "Yesterday we took another important step," NPB union leader Nine Kooiman responded on behalf of the police unions. "I am extremely proud of all those police officers who fought hard for our early retirement,” Kooiman said.

“It is thanks to you that we are now taking this step. We can now take the next steps towards a structural arrangement with confidence."

According to the police unions, the "first goal has been achieved" and the "dot on the horizon is that ultimately every police officer can reach retirement in a sustainable manner".

Police Chief Janny Knol also responded with delight to the agreement. "I am pleased with this bridging arrangement. It is important that national agreements follow quickly," she said in a statement on X. Knol reached an agreement on early retirement with the police unions and Van Weel on Wednesday evening.