Railway Strikes Loom as Dutch Rail Workers Reject NS Wage Offer

Unions Turn Down NS Offer, Cite Wage Gap
The deadlock revolves around the proposed NS wage increase of 2.55 percent for one year, which the unions say is far too stingy. "It is scandalous," said FNV negotiator Henri Janssen. "NS workers have been losing to inflation since 2019—by over 5 percent." FNV also expects about 90% of its NS members to support the strike.

VVMC and FNV set their own deadlines for NS to return with an improved offer—VVMC's for the expiration of 4 p.m. on Monday and FNV's for 5 p.m. on Tuesday. A third union, CNV, has also announced strikes but did not set a formal deadline.

NS Calls for Talks to Restart, Unions Unmoved
On Sunday, NS apparently caved to the pressure by saying it would be open to further talks, with no ultimate offer having been put on the table yet. "We regret that there isn't an agreement yet," an NS spokesperson said. "The negotiating table is the best place to complete a labor deal."
But union leaders were not swayed. Wein Eilert, chairman of the VVMC, said NS's response had not been "very promising." FNV's Janssen said union members had lost trust in continued negotiations without tangible concessions.

Strike Schedule Announced
If no deal is reached, the guilds will go on a series of regional strikes over five days:
1. June 6 – Midden region
2. June 10 – West region
3. June 12 – Noord-West and Oost departs.
4. 16 June – Noord and Zuideregat areas
5. June 17 — General strike (if demands not met)
The impending walkouts stand to seriously disrupt public transportation across the country, at a busy travel time.