Dutch rail strikes possible again as negotiations between NS and labor union collapse

The FNV has threatened the national railway company, the NS, with strikes. The negotiations about a new collective bargaining agreement for NS employees have collapsed, the trade union reported. The railway company and the union are still not in agreement after nine negotiation rounds, which have led to the FNV saying that it is “probable” that strikes will follow.

“If the members are ready to take action, then we will give the NS an ultimatum and prepare ourselves to organize strikes,” said FNV board member Henri Janssen. He described the situation as a “big middle finger” that the NS has put up to their “own loyal personnel.”

It is not yet clear when the strikes would take place. The FNV could also not say what the impact of the strikes would be.

Negotiations between the trade unions and the NS have often led to strikes. Staff have the capacity to halt most of the train travel in the Netherlands, which gives the unions a strong bargaining weapon to force through more significant wage increases.

Trade union CNV also broke off collective bargaining agreement negotiations with the NS, according to the union’s negotiator, Henk Jongsma. “The NS made an improved offer this morning, but it was insufficient for us,” he explained. “We are preparing for the next step and will likely take action.”

FNV is pushing for a 4 percent wage increase for NS workers on March 1, 2025, and March 1, 2026, plus a 120 euro bonus. The wage increase for this year would come into effect retroactively in this case. According to the FNV, the NS is currently offering an annual wage increase of 2.55 percent. The union thinks this is insufficient as it is likely going to be below inflation rates.

Before the previous collective bargaining agreement, which expired on March 1, the trade unions and NS had agreed on a salary increase of an average of 6.6 percent. Although those negotiations were also challenging, there were no mass strikes.

NS staff went on strike in 2022 to push for a higher salary increase. Travelers throughout the Netherlands were impacted by the strikes at that time.

Train travel was also halted in certain parts of the country in November due to strikes, but these were with the railway management company ProRail. Eventually, the company's workers earned a 10 percent wage increase over 18 months.

the NS said that they want to continue negotiations with the unions. "As far as we are concerned, negotiations have not yet been completed," a spokesperson for the railway company said.