Netherlands transport workers to strike over labor dispute

public transport strike regional bus services collective labor agreement labor dispute transportation workers

Approximately 13,000 regional and urban transport workers in the Netherlands, including bus drivers, drivers, and office staff, are scheduled to strike on Wednesday, October 14. The action follows the collapse of negotiations regarding a new collective labor agreement (CAO) between unions FNV and CNV and the employers' association VWOV.

The unions are protesting proposed changes to working conditions, including reduced sick pay, more unpaid breaks, and less control over work schedules. Key demands include a wage increase of 6% to 9.5% over two years, better arrangements for older employees, and more stable rosters.

Major transport providers affected include Arriva, EBS, Qbuzz, Keolis, Transdev, and RET. While regional services will face significant disruptions, urban transport in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague is expected to remain unaffected. If an agreement is not reached, unions have threatened weekly strikes through the Christmas period, with specific dates to be announced shortly before each action to prevent employers from implementing emergency schedules.