Employees of the largest railway carrier and monopoly in the field of passenger transportation by rail in the Netherlands - the company Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) - went on strike. So far, we are talking about relay strikes, during which railway transport will be idle in one of the regions of the country for 24 hours. The next day the strike will be held in another region. The relay strikes will continue for two weeks. The first strike is scheduled for Wednesday - August 24, 2022. If the demands of the unions are not satisfied, a general strike of NS employees is possible in September. Passengers affected by the strike will be able to receive compensation.
Trade unions FNV, CNV and VVMC, representing the interests of NS employees, negotiated with the company's management. Last week, these negotiations ended in vain. The unions are now taking action to force the company to meet their demands.
What are unions looking for?
The trade unions demand that the collective bargaining agreement be amended so that the gross salary of employees is increased by 100 euros per month. In addition, they are seeking an increase in hourly pay to 14 euros per hour and a lump sum payment of 600 euros per employee. The requirements also include automatic salary increases for NS workers due to inflation.
What is the company's response?
The company's management says they would like to improve the lives of their employees, but this is not possible right now. Restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic have severely reduced NS's revenues. Compliance with the demands of the unions will increase the costs of the payroll by 20%, and in the current conditions the company cannot afford it.
What will happen to the passengers?
First of all, undoubtedly, passengers will suffer. Planned trips will not take place or will be delayed. Both sides of the labor conflict are worried about the inconvenience of passengers. Unions say they are needed to achieve a fairer and more dignified collective bargaining agreement. The leadership of the NS speaks of the impossibility of fulfilling the demands of the trade unions, that workers who decide to strike cannot be forced to work.
Compensation for passengers affected by the strike
In accordance with article 6.4 of the NS General Conditions of Carriage for Passengers and Cabin Baggage, passengers affected by a strike, if the journey was delayed by more than 30 minutes or had to change transport, are entitled to compensation. The maximum compensation for a change of transport is 25 euros. But it is unlikely that monetary compensation will be able to completely offset the irritation of passengers from unrealized plans.
The claim for compensation must be submitted electronically on the NS website. More about it here.
Publication Date: 18.08.2022
