Police unions to step up action; SAIL and Budget Day are targets

Police unions are planning to take action in support of their pay claim during the SAIL maritime event in Amsterdam and during the traditional Budget Day ceremony in The Hague.

The four police unions – ACP, NPB, ANPV and VMHP – said in a joint statement on Monday they are preparing what measures to take during the two events, which draw massive crowds.

In addition, the police are looking into halting all involvement in deporting illegal immigrants. They may also stop confirming people who have been arrested are who they say they are, photographing suspects and dealing with press inquiries.

Last weekend, five of the nine opening matches for the football season were cancelled because the police went on strike.

No more cash

Last week justice minister Ard van der Steur told the unions that the cabinet will not make any more cash available and that only secondary benefits are up for further negotiation.

The government has reached a deal with the smaller civil service unions for an offer which it says is worth 5.05% plus a €500 bonus. The police unions, however, say the deal is made up of a 2.85% rise over two years plus 2.2% from changes in the pension policy which may affect eventual pension payouts.

Civil service pay has been frozen for the past four years.