Train traffic in large parts of the southwest of the Netherlands was completely halted until 09.00 a.m. on Monday morning due to strikes at rail infrastructure manager ProRail.
The Dutch Railways (NS) report that the action not only affects domestic trains, but also international connections. For example, there are no high-speed trains between Belgium, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The disruption also affects travelers from the south who want to travel to Haarlem and Hoofddorp.
The FNV union announced the strike as part of a series of actions to draw attention to the working conditions at ProRail. The action on Monday 18 November focuses specifically on the traffic control posts in Rotterdam, The Hague and Roosendaal. This will not only have an impact on the direct strike areas, but will affect the entire network. Previous strike days have already shown that train traffic is only slowly getting going after the timetable has been resumed.
consequences for travelers
The NS has announced that trains will be running again in the affected areas from 09.00:XNUMX, but that travellers should expect disruptions and cancellations of trains for the rest of the morning. Resuming the service will take time, and the consequences of the strike are expected to be felt until the afternoon.
In addition, planned work is already taking place on the track. For example, due to maintenance work, far fewer trains are running to, from and via Schiphol Airport station. This could further increase the chaos, especially for travellers who want to combine their journey with flights from Schiphol.
ProRail considers the right to strike important, but regrets the way in which the actions are being conducted. It points to the favourable employment conditions that employees already enjoy.
NS understands the right of employees to strike, but regrets the impact on passengers. "These actions cause a lot of inconvenience and we would have liked to avoid that," said an NS spokesperson. The company is now focusing on informing passengers as well as possible. "We advise everyone to consult the NS travel planner for up-to-date information prior to their journey."
Despite the inconvenience, NS emphasizes that they are bound by the decisions of ProRail, which is responsible for the rail infrastructure. The strikes put pressure on traffic control, a crucial link in train traffic. "If traffic control posts fail, the entire network can come to a standstill," a spokesperson explains.
previous strikes
Monday's strike is not the first action by FNV at ProRail. Previous strikes have shown that resuming the timetable requires time and flexibility. The decision to plan the actions in the early morning ensures that the effects will continue to have a long effect on the timetable.
The union states that the actions are necessary to draw attention to staff shortages, high work pressure and safety issues. "Our members want a solution for structural problems at ProRail. We understand that this causes inconvenience for travelers, but change is necessary," according to an FNV spokesperson.
travel advice
Travelers are advised to postpone their journey until later in the day, if possible. The NS travel planner is continuously updated to provide up-to-date information. In addition, NS warns that the impact of the strike may also be felt outside the direct strike areas, because many trains cannot start at their usual places.
Although the strikes are causing frustration among travellers, both NS and FNV are sticking to their positions. NS is trying to limit the inconvenience by informing travellers in a timely manner, while FNV is increasing the pressure to force changes.
