“The limit has been reached for people in regional transport,” Van der Gaag explains the reason for a new round of strikes. “The workload is too high due to irregular schedules and tight journey times. If nothing changes, it will be very bad for the future of public transport.”
16.9 percent more
Two weeks ago, the staff in regional transport went on strike for five days. In the Achterhoek, Rivierenland and Limburg in particular, part of the regional transport was canceled.
Workers demand a new collective labor agreement in which wages rise in line with inflation. They also want measures to reduce the workload. FNV demands a wage increase of 16.9 percent for a collective labor agreement for one year, the CNV demands 14 percent spread over eighteen months.
Both unions had issued an ultimatum to the employers, which expires tomorrow. But the Association of Public Transport Employers (VWOV) indicated before the weekend that it would not respond to this: “There is no money.”
According to FNV, ‘one in five drivers is sick’, which creates even more work pressure. To reduce this, driving times must become less tight and there must be regularity in the rosters.
Calls stopped
The wage offer of the VWOV is 8 percent for one year and 3 percent next year. The employers say that the margins in public transport are very small, and that many transport companies have been making a loss since corona.
The ultimatum was previously a reason for the VWOV to stop the talks about the collective labor agreement. A spokesperson for FNV said: “The requirements remain as they were. We notice that a limit has been reached for drivers.”
The strike is supported by personnel from Arriva, Qbuzz and Keolis, among others.
