ProRail strike: No trains running in Limburg, Noord-Brabant; National strike looming
No trains are running in Limburg and most of Noord-Brabant until 9:00 a.m. this morning due to a strike by ProRail train traffic controllers. This is the fifth of six regional strikes and there has been no progress in the collective bargaining negotiations. A nationwide strike may be looming, according to the Telegraaf.
Wednesday’s strike makes train traffic completely impossible in Limburg. In Noord-Brabant, no trains are running to Den Bosch, Eindhoven, and Tilburg, among others. The strike also halted the international trains from Germany via Venlo to Amsterdam, and there are delays for several Nightjet, and ICE International trains, NS said.
The strike ends at 9:00 a.m., but it will likely take the rest of the morning to get trains running according to the timetable again. NS advised travelers to check the travel planner before heading to the station.
The ANWB warned of busier roads than usual in Limburg and Noord-Brabant due to the train strike. Bad weather may also cause more traffic. The KNMI has a code yellow warning in place for icy roads in all provinces except Overijssel, Friesland, Groningen, and Drenthe. The KNMI expects the slippery conditions to melt away by noon.
ProRail workers affiliated with the trade union FNV are striking for a higher wage increase. FNV demanded an average increase of 13 percent, but ProRail would go no higher than 5.2 percent. After five regional strikes, the parties are no closer together and aren’t even talking anymore, the Telegraaf reported.
“They have dug in their heels and so have we, there is not even an agreement to sit down again,’ Carl Kraijenoord of FNV told the newspaper. “The board of directors of ProRail leaves us no other choice than to scale up [the labor actions].”
A ProRail spokesperson agreed that “nothing has changed” in the stalemate.
