Train strikes will be disrupting Groningen travel this Friday after the FNV trade union announced a series of staggered strikes affecting different parts of the Netherlands.
The reason for these strikes is the stalling of collective labour agreement negotiations with ProRail, the organisation responsible for the Dutch railway. On various days, train traffic will be halted for three hours, each time on a different route. In Groningen, train traffic will be affected by this measure on November 22.
The action plan already started on November 11 in De Kijfhoek in the province of South Holland. On Friday, November 22, it’s Groningen’s turn. Actions will take place on the Zwolle-Groningen-Arnhem route. The strikes will last from 6:00 to 9:00 am, disrupting NS’ rush hours
The FNV is pushing for a 13% wage increase. GIC reported that FNV director Carl Kraijenoord said that this may sound “like a huge percentage” but he explains that the previous collective labour agreement was concluded “just before an inflation peak”.“Ultimately, we want ProRail employees to be able to put just as much in their shopping carts in the supermarket as before,” said Kraijenoord. “Maintaining purchasing power is our most important argument for demanding that 13%”.
