The NS does not plan to completely scrap the entire schedule again next Tuesday and Thursday. The unions want to strike in various regions on those days.
The NS does not rule out that travelers in the rest of the country may experience inconvenience. “Therefore, it is very important to plan the train journey well and keep a close eye on the journey planner,” says a spokesperson.
The FNV and VVMC have already started preparations for a strike on Tuesday in the West region. The North-West and East regions are next on Thursday.
The NS itself has decided to stop all trains today, as the strike is taking place in the Central Netherlands region. This also includes Utrecht, the most important hub for rail traffic. According to the spokesperson, it is quiet at the stations. “Many travelers have received the news about the strike.”
The NS and the unions have not yet agreed on a new collective labor agreement after 4.5 months of negotiations. The rail company is sticking to a wage offer of 2.55 percent.
But the employees think that is too little and want to be compensated for the high inflation. No agreement has also been reached on early retirement, where people can stop working earlier.
“We call on the unions to come to the table and negotiate further. We still want to reach an agreement,” said the NS spokesperson.