The unions are demanding a 10 percent wage increase this year and another 4 percent next yesar. In addition, the unions want wages to be linked to inflation from next year. Wages should automatically be raised at half the rate of inflation.
The wage offer of the Public Transport Employers Association (VWOV) is 8 percent for one year and another 3 percent next year.
No basis to talk
The unions have threatened with new strikes starting February 22 if the employers do not comply with the demands. And because of these ultimatums, the VWOV refuses to talk any further.
FNV says in a response that no decision has yet been made about further actions. With that, the union waits until the ultimatum has actually expired. “The requirements remain as they were. We notice that a limit has been reached for drivers,” said a spokesman for the union.
However, the employers do not want to talk until the threat of action is off the table. “Unions believe that we should still discuss these demands, under the threat and pressure of a strike that has already been announced. That is not a basis for us to talk. Strikes will not bring us to the table,” said Kagie.
Been active for five days
At the beginning of this month, regional public transport had already been on strike for five days. As a result, part of the regional transport was canceled. Several trains were also cancelled, including in the Achterhoek, Rivierenland and Limburg.
Employers and trade unions also disagree about the consequences of the strikes. According to the VWOV, half of all buses were running on some days. According to trade union FNV, the sector was shut down for 80 percent.
Thousands of drivers
The ultimatum relates to the large collective labor agreement in regional transport. This applies to 13,000 employees, mainly bus drivers. The smaller Collective Labor Agreement for Multimodal applies to 1300 employees, mainly train staff. Negotiations for that collective labor agreement are also running smoothly and have already been discontinued.
