NS and unions reach hard-fought late night agreement on wages

Dutch rail operator NS and unions made a new pay deal in the early morning hours on Wednesday, staving off more public transport strikes.

Railway employees can look forward to a 4% pay increase, backdated to March. From March 2026, most NS employees will receive a further 3.5% rise. Higher-level positions will receive a slightly smaller increase of 3%.

An agreement was also made on working nights and on early retirement for employees in heavy-duty jobs.

In June, workers went on strike four times in two weeks to demand better pay and benefits. The unions had been negotiating unsuccessfully with NS.

“Our members have made it clear that good hard work regulations and wage increases are essential,” said Henri Janssen, trade union official at FNV Spoor, in a statement. “This result shows that fighting and persevering pay off.”