No NS trains are running across the Netherlands on Tuesday — except for local Sprinter services between Amsterdam and Schiphol airport — due to a strike by unions for a better pay deal.

The transport ministry has urged motorists to avoid driving during the morning and evening rush hours because of expected congestion on the roads. Motoring organisation ANWB also warned that traffic will be heavier than usual.

The railway network ground to a virtual halt on Friday because of a strike in the Utrecht region, the centre of the railway network. The lack of response to the strike by state-owned NS is reason enough to “stop work again,” the biggest rail union VVMC said.

“We are asking travellers for their understanding and calling on the NS to come up with a serious and fair proposal,” union official Wim Eilert told broadcaster NOS at the weekend. More strikes are also planned for the coming weeks.

NS has offered an annual pay rise of 2.55%, but the unions say this is not enough. They are seeking a higher increase to offset inflation and better working conditions for staff working irregular hours. They also want the introduction of an early retirement scheme for people doing heavy physical labour.

Regional services offered by Arriva and others will not be affected, nor will international trains.