UPDATE: 1 February, 17:01
OOG TV reports that Arriva trains in Groningen will be on strike on Thursday, 1 February. Travellers between Leeuwarden-Harlingen Haven, Leeuwarden-Stavoren, Leeuwarden-Groningen, Groningen-Eemshaven and Groningen-Delfzijl are advised to seek alternative transportation. Trains between Groningen-Veendam, Groningen-Winschoten and Groningen-Weener will be running on a normal schedules.
Original story follows:
Regional transport is set to strike for five consecutive days from Monday, February 6. The CNV trade union announced the action on January 30, after employers had not responded to their ultimatum on better work conditions. It is likely that neither Qbuzz buses nor the Arriva trains will be running next week, RTV Noord reports.
In the ultimatum, CNV asked for several requirements the union considers necessary for a new collective labour agreement. These include a substantial wage increase, a good scheme for the elderly and tackling the high workload, which puts pressure on the regional transport network.
In a statement, collective bargaining negotiator Hanane Chikhi said the employers “put everything off the table” and did not come up with alternative solutions.
The last round of negotiations on a new agreement for public transport failed on 18 January. The collective labour agreement for which the strike is taking place applies to around 13,000 employees, mainly bus drivers. An earlier strike called by another union, FNV, caused about 40% of public transport to cease operation for a time in various regions.
