Friday’s rail strike is expected to disrupt train services across the country, Dutch state-owned railway company NS said on Tuesday.

The strike is planned in the central region, from where NS manages services throughout the Netherlands.

Railway unions had given the company a deadline of 5 pm on Tuesday to comply with their demands for an improved pay deal.

NS has offered an annual pay rise of 2.55%, but the unions say this is insufficient. They are seeking a higher increase to offset inflation and better working conditions for staff working irregular hours.

Further strikes are planned later this month, with the western region targeted on June 10 and the northwest and east on June 12.

International trains are not likely to be affected, the NS said.