Police plan major strike next weekend: only emergency calls will be answered

Police union ACP has called officers to take part in what it says is ‘the most severe strike action ever‘ by refusing to answer all but emergency calls over a three-day period.

The strike is set for Friday September 14 and will run until Sunday night. Police stations will be shut and there will be no police support available for sports and other events, the union says.

‘The absence of the police will be felt everywhere,’ the union said in a statement. Emergency number 112 will still operate, but ‘police will not turn out for a dispute between neighbours’, the union said.

Police unions have been in dispute with justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus and police chief Erik Akerboom for several months about a new pay and conditions agreement. They feel officers are not paid enough, there is too much pressure at work and structural staff shortages.

Officers have taken part in various protests over the summer. These have included stopping handing out fines for minor offences and short all-out strikes at certain locations.

Dutch police last went on strike for more pay in 2014.