Make sure to mark this date in your calendars: Wednesday, September 9. Why? Because all public transport across the Netherlands will grind to a halt.
The FNV trade union has announced that all public transport employees will strike on this date. And it concerns all forms of transport, all day.
Speaking with NU.nl, FNV board member Henri Janssen warns that “Rail, regional, and urban transport in the Netherlands will come to a standstill.”
Why are they striking?
These strikes all come down to the government’s plans to reduce social security. This means higher pension ages, lower severance pay, and tinkering with the Work and Income Act (WIA).
In doing this, the government hopes to save €6.8 billion, but it may cost us all dearly (especially if we’re reliant on public transport.)
The FNV wants the government to scrap these plans entirely. If not? We can expect even more strikes. For example, strikes have also been planned in sectors such as waste processing, the ports, the metal industry, and the cleaning industry.
Janssen tells NU.nl that “The plans undermine the livelihoods of millions of workers and their families, and, in fact, therefore, of our travellers as well. Because every worker can face illness, disability, or involuntary unemployment. In that case, you must be able to count on a decent social safety net.”
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