Netherlands public transport strike to grind commuter services to a halt in June
Public transport workers in the Netherlands are planning a national labor strike that will affect all trains, buses, trams, and metro services on June 24. The strike was announced by three branches of the FNV labor union in protest against the Cabinet's planned cutbacks affecting the state pension, unemployment benefits, worker disability benefits, the union said in a statement released on Wednesday. The FNV said more strikes will happen if the Cabinet fails to concede to the union's demands.
The work stoppage will affect all public transport services operating during the overnight and early morning hours. Employees will not begin their shifts until 8 a.m., which will likely have a knock-on impact during the Wednesday morning rush hour as transport firms try to get their full network services up and running.
"We fully understand that travelers are being inconvenienced by this action, and we find that regrettable. We do not take strikes lightly; it is a last resort," the FNV said.
"We are not only doing this for public transport employees, but for everyone. We must all be able to rely on strong social security in our country."
The Cabinet of Prime Minister Rob Jetten, which has minority support in both houses of Parliament, previously announced it will temporarily freeze the state pension age. However, the FNV, along with labor unions CNV and VCP, demanded the Cabinet freeze the pension age. The current age when a full pension can be earned is 67 years, and that is scheduled to increase to 67 years and 3 months from 2028, and effectively grow by eight months per one-year increase in the life expectancy.
Meanwhile, those receiving WW unemployment benefits could see that money run out after one year, instead of the current maximum of two years. Workers are supposed to receive the equivalent of one month of salary as an unemployment benefit for every working year up to the point they lost their job, but that could also be cut. At the same time, the Cabinet also wants to slash the maximum daily benefit for people who are partially and fully disabled, and receive the WIA benefit.
The FNV said a survey of its membership found that 98 percent are opposed to the Cabinet's plans, and over 85 percent said they were prepared to strike over the issue. The unions issued an ultimatum earlier this month, and on May 11, Social Affairs Minister Hans Vijlbrief pledged he would issue a response by Monday, May 18. Vijlbrief is a member of political party D66, as is Rob Jetten.
"There is widespread dissatisfaction among employees in urban and regional transport and on the railways regarding the Cabinet's plans," the FNV said in Wednesday's statement. "This work stoppage is a first, but clear warning: the measures must be taken off the table," the union continued.
"If the Cabinet proceeds with these plans to dismantle social security, further strikes are inevitable."
