Garbage collectors in Utrecht after a week on strike again

After a week on strike, garbage collectors in Utrecht went back to work today. The city is full of waste and the municipality expects it will take at least a week before the city is clean again.

Garbage man Stijn Kerkhoven doesn’t mind that extra work, he says RTV Utrecht. “We have campaigned with a clear goal and we have received a lot of support and understanding from the residents. And if you go on strike, you must of course clean it up afterwards. We have no problem with that.”

Because all trucks are needed for cleaning, the collection of organic waste only starts from February 20 and bulky waste from February 27. The waste separation stations are open again from today.

The end of the strike does not mean that the wage demands of the Utrecht city cleaners have been granted. The FNV still wants a wage increase of 12 percent. The Association of Netherlands Municipalities previously offered 5 percent for this year and another 3 percent next year.

“The most important thing now is that we talk to each other,” says alderman Linda Voortman. “When we started the negotiations, we said: what we offer is not yet a final offer. So we really want to see if we can move a little. But on the other hand, we also say that they must also move a little. Because 12 percent costs a lot for all employees, of course.”

Garbage collectors after a week on strike again in Utrecht