The conflict between the FNV trade union and the management of ProRail over a new collective labor agreement has escalated to a point where strikes have become unavoidable.
The negotiations have stalled, and according to FNV director Carl Kraijenoord, ProRail has refused to offer any more room for further talks. “The employer has indicated that there is nothing more in it than the final offer, so we have to take action if we want more,” says Kraijenoord, who emphasizes that the union is always prepared to enter into talks again, provided there is room for a 'substantial wage increase' for the staff.
The conflict revolves around FNV's demands for a 13% wage increase, a percentage that the union believes is necessary to compensate for the employees' loss of purchasing power. Kraijenoord explains that the previous collective labor agreement was concluded just before a major wave of inflation that caused the cost of living to rise considerably. "Ultimately, we want ProRail employees to be able to put as much in their shopping carts in the supermarket as before," says Kraijenoord. "Maintaining purchasing power is our most important argument for demanding that 13%."
the consequences
The strikes are aimed at the ProRail traffic control posts, from which train traffic in various parts of the country is coordinated. Strikes at these posts will undoubtedly lead to major disruptions in train traffic, which will directly affect passengers throughout the country. "Then you have to assume that part of the train traffic will be shut down," Kraijenoord explains. "We would rather not have that. But if ProRail does not want to continue talking, then we have to."
According to the planning, the actions will take place at various locations this month. These will be strikes of several hours on specific days. The strikes will take place at various locations and times throughout the month. On 11 November, the action will start at Kijfhoek from 13:00 to 16:00. This will be followed by morning strikes in Amsterdam and Alkmaar on 13 November and in Utrecht and Amersfoort on 15 November, both from 6:00 to 9:00. After that, employees will stop working in Rotterdam, The Hague and Roosendaal on 18 November, also from 6:00 to 9:00. The strikes will continue in Eindhoven and Maastricht on 20 November and will conclude on 22 November in Zwolle, Groningen and Arnhem, each time from 6:00 to 9:00.
During these periods, it is expected that train traffic on these routes will come to a standstill, which will mean delays and possible train cancellations for passengers. The FNV realizes that the inconvenience will be great, but states that the actions are necessary. Kraijenoord: “We regret this enormously. But it is really necessary to take action to maintain purchasing power for everyone employed by ProRail. No one works to become poorer.”
According to the FNV, the decision to take action was prompted by the increasing financial pressure on ProRail employees, who would not be able to count on a salary in line with the rising cost of living with the current final offer from the employer. The union emphasizes that the demands of 13% were not made at random. "That peak does need to be corrected," says Kraijenoord. The union sees this increase as necessary to protect the real income position of the employees against the effects of inflation.
ProRail has not yet publicly responded to the announced actions. The management seems to be sticking to the previously presented final offer, which in the eyes of the union is insufficient to compensate for the loss of purchasing power of the employees. For the union, the proposal to increase the salaries is essential, because inflation has caused the expenditure of many households to increase considerably since the previous collective labor agreement negotiations. This difference of opinion between the union and ProRail has caused the negotiation process to stall, and although the FNV is open to new talks, they emphasize that without substantial improvements no agreement is possible.
impact
The impact of the announced work stoppages on rail traffic will be significant, given the crucial role that traffic control posts play in the operational management of the railways. If rail traffic comes to a standstill at these locations, passengers will be forced to find alternative routes or expect delays and cancellations. Given the planned times of the actions—often during the early morning rush hour—this will be a disruption that will directly affect a large number of people.
For many train passengers, the timing of the strikes may come as an unpleasant surprise, especially at a time when travel costs are rising and public transport is becoming increasingly crowded. Although the FNV regrets that these actions are affecting the public, they indicate that there are few other means left to protect the purchasing power of ProRail staff.
