If you rely on public transport to get to work, clear your Wednesday morning calendar now. Public transport will barely run anywhere in the Netherlands before 8 AM on June 24, due to a nationwide strike.
The walkout is part of a broader protest by trade union FNV against the government’s planned cuts to social security.
It’s the same dispute that’s been rumbling for weeks, and the entire transport network is now caught in the crossfire.
What exactly is shutting down?
The rail network takes the sharpest hit. NS has decided to halt its entire timetable during the strike window (between 4 AM and 8 AM), and the company can only begin gradually restarting services from 8 AM, according to NS.
This means the disruption won’t end neatly at breakfast time, but could very well run into the afternoon.
However, this is far from a trains-only problem. According to NOS, bus, tram, and metro staff won’t start work until 8 AM either, so swapping your train for a metro won’t save you.
In other words, expect a messy morning commute. NS advises travellers to postpone early journeys and brace for delays or extra transfers well into the day. The planned timetable should be back around midday.
Note: Because this is a nationwide strike, NS can’t provide replacement buses at all, and there’s no compensation on offer for replacement transport either.
Are any trains still running?
A few, yes. The Airport Sprinter between Amsterdam Centraal and Schiphol will continue to run, as will the Eurostar trains to London and Paris for passengers with a reservation.
However, not all international trains are safe. International Eurocity (Direct), EuroCity and ICE services are cancelled until 8 AM.
NS expects its journey planner to reflect the adjusted timetable from Monday, so check it right before you leave, since last-minute changes are likely.
A strike against the cabinet’s actions
FNV is fighting cabinet plans to trim social security, including shortening WW (unemployment benefit) and scaling back the WIA (the benefit for people unable to work due to long-term illness).
A planned acceleration of the AOW state pension age increase was also on the strike agenda, but that particular proposal has since been dropped.
The union frames this as a warning shot. FNV calls Wednesday’s action a first but clear signal to the cabinet, and warns that further strikes are unavoidable if the plans aren’t changed.
Are you stuck without a way to get around on Wednesday morning? Tell us how you’re planning your commute in the comments.
I think it is not very good for the residents who travel to work, school, it is our daily routine. I personally have to start my journey to work at 5:30 from s-Gravendeel to Steenbergen and it takes a long time. Of course I am late every day for about 30 minutes, but if the bus is late I am late for even longer. I am happy that my company understands this and I just have to stay longer to make up for the lost time.