Unions announce public transport strike on September 11

Local bus drivers will be joining NS staff in strike action on September 11 in support of an early retirement scheme for people in physically taxing jobs, union FNV has said.

The legislation underpinning the scheme is due to expire next year and as yet no new scheme has been put in place. The ruling gives employers a tax break if they pay pensions to workers who stop ahead of the official retirement age, which is currently 67.

According to union FNV, public transport workers not only experience physical stress but also mental pressure on the job and should be included in the scheme.

Trains and local buses will come to a halt from 4 am to 8 am on Wednesday September 11. Public transport in Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam will not be affected during that time but short stoppages will cause delays on September 10.

More strike action has been announced for the second week of September in other sectors, including the cleaning, building and engineering sectors.

MPs from the GroenLinks-PvdA alliance and the SP have called on the new government to extend legislation and coalition parties BBB and NSC have both said they support extending the current package of measures.

The other two parties – the right-wing Liberal VVD and far-right PVV – have not yet made their position clear.

Police unions have already taken industrial action at football matches in support of their campaign for early retirement options.

Social affairs minister Eddy van Hijum (NSC) has said he “does not rule out” an extension of the legislation.