Rail workers in Italy put down the work on Friday to draw attention to Gaza. Although NS employees would like it, such a strike is unlikely in the Netherlands.
“A political strike in the Netherlands was a long time ago,” says socio-historian Sjaak van der Velden. Consider the February strike against the German occupation, and a strike in the port of Rotterdam against the Franco regime. “But that was about eighty years ago. It would be very unique if something like that happened again.”
The Dutch trade unions differ greatly from the Italian, Belgian and French trade unions. “Southern trade unions are much more political than in the Netherlands,” says Van der Velden. They are often affiliated with a political party.
The largest railway union in the Netherlands VVMC says that the trade union indeed stays away from political discussions. “We will not mix in this or make statements about this,” says a spokesperson when asked.
According to Van der Velden, the FNV trade union focuses primarily on employment conditions and working conditions. But FNV does take a position when it comes to Gaza.
‘Also Dutch employees involved’
“We support the goals of the Italian railway employees,” says an FNV spokesperson. “There are excessive victims among care providers and journalists in Gaza. Dutch aid organizations and journalists work, so we are also dealing with.”
FNV therefore calls on to demonstrate instead of stopping. A track strike to support Palestinians such as in Italy “unfortunately is not possible in the Netherlands”. Employees are only allowed to stop here for things that their employer can do something about. “Otherwise an employer has the problems, but not the influence to resolve it.”
Dutch employees do not get any protection if they followed the Italian example. They are then unlawfully absent from their work and the strike greenhouse of the trade union remains closed. “A whole process precedes that.”
The conditions for strike are in the European Social Charter, which in principle also applies to countries such as Italy. According to FNV, this is much stricter in the Netherlands than in Italy.
The Italian railway employees will pick up their work again on Friday evening. Part of the national train traffic was therefore flat for 24 hours. The Italian trade union Si Cobas demands an end to the genocide in Gaza. In September there was a national strike day in Italy out of solidarity with Palestinian citizens.
Railway Employees in Italy Are Going on Strike on Friday to Draw Attention to Gaza. Even if ns employees wanted to, such a strike is unlikely in the Netherlands.
“A Political Strike in the Netherlands is a long time ago,” Says Social Historian Sjaak van der Velden. Think of the February Strike Against the German Occupation, and a Strike in the Port of Rotterdam Against the Franco Regime. “But that was about eighty years ago. It would be very unique if something like that happened again.”
The Dutch Trade Unions Differ Greatly from the Italian, Belgian and French Trade Unions. “Southern Trade Unions are much more political than in the Netherlands,” Says van der Velden. They are often affiliated with a political party.
The Largest Railway Union in the Netherlands, VVMC, Says That The Union is Indeed Staying Away from Political Discussions. “We will not interfere in this or make statements about it,” Says a spokesperson when asked.
Accordance to van der Velden, Trade Union FNV Mainly Focuses on Employment Conditions and Working Conditions. But FNV does take a stand when it comes to gaza.
‘Dutch Employees Also Involved’
“We support the goals of the Italian Railway Employees,” Says an FNV Spokesperson. “There are an excessive number of Victims Among Aid Workers and Journalists in Gaza. Dutch Aid Organizations and Journalists Work There, So It also Concerns Us.”
FNV is Therefore Calling for Demonstrations Instead of Strikes. A Railway Strike to Support Palestinians Like in Italy “is unfortunate not Possible in the Netherlands”. Employees here are only allowed to strike for things that their employer can do something about. “Otherwise, an employer has the problems, but not the influence to solve them.”
Dutch Employees Receive No Protection If they Follow the Italian Example. They are then unlawful absent from their work and the trade union’s strike fund remains closed. “A whole process precedes that.”
The Conditions for Being Allowed to Strike Are Stated in the European Social Charter, which basically also applies to Countries Such as Italy. Accordance to FNV, This is Enforced Much More Strictly in the Netherlands than in Italy.
The Italian Railway Employees Will Resume Their Work on Friday Evening. As a result, part of the national train traffic was shut down for 24 hours. The Italian Trade Union Si Cobas Demands an End to the Genocide in Gaza. In September there was a National Strike Day in Italy in Solidarity with Palestinian Citizens.