Over 20 strikes to hit the Netherlands this week: Here’s how they’ll affect you

The action is already underway 🚫

It’s not just commuting that will be almost impossible at points this week — large-scale strikes by vital professions across the country will cause major disruptions.

Job strikers want their early retirement scheme, which expires next year, to become permanent — and the FNV trade union supports their action.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly reports that public transport would not run between 4 AM and 8 PM on Wednesday, September 11. The correct timeframe would have been between 4 AM and 8 AM, and the article has been updated to reflect this.

Multiple industries will take action

In addition to the urban and regional transport strikes which started today, several other industries — including the police construction, and cleaning companies — are also taking action.

These are all heavy professions affected by the expiring retirement measure, so here’s a breakdown of the key actions you should note. 👇

Transport

We’ve known for a while that tomorrow, September 11, it will be almost impossible to travel on public transport.

In addition to several regional transport providers going on strike, buses, trams, and trains from NS, Arriva, Transdev (Connexxion), Keolis, EBS, Qbuzz will also not run between 4 AM and 8 AM.

READ MORE | Public transport in the Netherlands: the complete guide

During these times, HTM, GVB, and RET will be the only options running.

Police

The police are taking multiple actions as part of their strike, as reported by AD.

One way is officer absence from football matches, which has already caused match cancellations.

They are also issuing fewer fines for minor violations this week, and bailiffs cannot count on police assistance.

READ MORE | Dutch police shut stations for entire day as part of strike

And there will be no intervention in a climate march by Extinction rebellion towards the A12, which lasts from September 8 to 14.

Healthcare

While healthcare workers are not stopping their work, their action includes a photo moment and some employees are taking longer breaks.

Pharmacies, however, are on strike — for the first time EVER according to the CNV trade union.

READ MORE | Pharmacies in the Netherlands: 8 questions answered

The pharmacy strikes are currently happening regionally, but a national strike has not been ruled out.

So far, pharmacy workers have been taking precise breaks and not opening early or closing late without pay.

Other occupations

Strikes elsewhere among important professions include dock workers, who will stop working for four hours on Saturday evening.

Then, on Monday, cleaners from all over the Netherlands will also strike.

How do you feel about this week’s mass strike action? Let us know in the comments below.

Feature Image:Depositphotos
Lottie Gale 🇬🇧
Lottie Gale 🇬🇧
Lottie joins DutchReview as an editorial intern after gaining a Bachelor’s in English from her native England. She continues to pursue all things literature in her MA Literature Today at Utrecht University. She is loving life here, and the ever-looming rainclouds often make it feel like a home from home. Lottie arrived to complete her studies and hone her writing skills — she’ll stay for the Dutch tranquility, tulips and tompouce.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Susan DB
    Susan DB

    The Real Person!

    Author Susan DB acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.
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    The Real Person!

    Author Susan DB acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.
    Passed all tests against spam bots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.

    People need to get back to work and stop witching. Where do people think the money comes from for increases, they need to pay for it in taxes and they are already high here. Foreign companies are leaving as its too expensive and skilled foreign labour wont come here as it is too expensive. Start contributing more and stop whinging.

  2. Ahmed
    Ahmed

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    Author Ahmed acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.
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    The Real Person!

    Author Ahmed acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.
    Passed all tests against spam bots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.

    Very inconvenient, but I totally support the strikes. Many of these sectors like police and healthcare really need better salaries and conditions.

  3. The strike of public transport in the the big Dutch cities was on Tuesday September 10, other public transport it was September 11 and only in the morning between 4 and 8 AM.
    Lost off gossips and untrue things in this piece of news. If you copy news, then take the true news.

  4. this article is a little bit exaggerated, i m looking for others sources on the mainstream and I could not find . I recommend you guys mention your sources to make the news more trustful

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