The regional bus strike enters its ninth day on Monday with unions rejecting the bus companies’ weekend plea to suspend their industrial action.

CNV union negotiator Wyb Kusters says the plea shows the employers’ ‘desperation’ and that a solution lies in their hands, reports the Volkskrant.
According to the employers, time is required to discuss the advice given by former Labour minister Klaas de Vries at the request of both sides. He suggests lightening the load for the bus companies by allowing them temporarily to buy cheaper diesel plus a short-term ‘bridging’ agreement on terms and conditions.
The unions will discuss the ‘bridging’ agreement on Monday during informal talks with employers. But Kusters says De Vries’ advice leaves the unions demand for a 3.5% pay rise intact.
Employers have now offered 5% over two years and an extra 3% in return for more flexible working patterns and fewer holidays.