The train strike scheduled for Thursday will not proceed. However, NS anticipates disruptions and advises travelers to expect crowded trains.
The train transport company states that it has “not yet received an official announcement” of the strike. “The minimum notice period of 36 hours has expired. Therefore, the announced strike on Thursday, June 12, will not take place.”
In the regions of North Holland and East Netherlands, where the strike was planned, significantly fewer trains will run. NS advises travelers to take into account an adjusted timetable and crowded trains.
Calling off the train strike was a deliberate choice by the unions to cause extra unrest at NS, reports a negotiator from union CNV to ANP. The unions had signals that the transport company had an alternative timetable ready. By not striking, the unions are trying to cause more unrest at NS and put pressure on the company to agree to the collective labor agreement demands.
Today, no trains ran throughout the country due to the strikes, and train traffic was also at a standstill on Friday. The strikes follow 4.5 months of negotiations without result. NS is unwilling to offer a wage increase higher than 2.55 percent, but the unions find this insufficient and want compensation for the high inflation in recent years.