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Passengers who rely on regional buses and trains in the Netherlands should expect weeks of disruption leading up to Christmas. The FNV and CNV unions have announced weekly one-day strikes by regional transport staff, starting Wednesday, 15 October, after failed negotiations over a new collective labour agreement.
What is affected
The strikes relate to the public transport collective agreement (cao), covering about 13,000 workers, primarily bus drivers, as well as train drivers and conductors on regional railways. Affected operators include Arriva, Qbuzz, Keolis, and Transdev (operating as Connexxion and Hermes). NS, the national rail company, is not involved, so intercity and sprinter trains on the main network are expected to operate as usual.
On strike days, bus and regional train services across much of the country will likely be cancelled or significantly reduced. The current agreement expired at the end of June, and eight rounds of negotiations since March have not resulted in a new deal.
Why they are striking
The dispute extends beyond pay, though salary remains a key issue. FNV is seeking a 6 percent pay increase to offset lost purchasing power, while CNV requests a 9.5 percent increase over two years. Employers have most recently offered a 2 percent raise.
A primary concern is working conditions. The unions state that employers are demanding increased flexibility, such as longer working days, additional unpaid breaks, and reduced input on rosters, which they believe negatively impacts employees’ health and work-life balance. “Employees are not a cost to be squeezed,” said FNV negotiator Marijn van der Gaag, emphasising that those who transport millions daily deserve fair contracts. The unions are seeking agreements to reduce workloads, introduce early retirement options for older staff, expedite permanent contracts, and implement a four-day workweek for employees under 50.
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Over 97 percent of FNV members supported industrial action. The unions have adopted a tactical approach by not announcing in advance which day each week they will strike. “We will not let the actions be sabotaged by employers who draw up emergency timetables at the last moment,” said CNV negotiator Niels Rook. As a result, passengers may face strikes on any weekday until Christmas, making travel plans unpredictable.ng journeys unpredictable.
The employers’ response
The employers’ association VWOV maintains that a fair cao proposal has already been offered and expresses regret over the planned strikes. However, the two sides remain far apart.
Travellers are advised to check service updates before travelling and to have alternative plans where possible. This action adds to an already turbulent period for Dutch public transport, following last month’s national strike over government cuts. However, this dispute concerns only the pay and conditions of regional transport workers and may continue until Christmas if no agreement is reached.