The primary school teachers behind the PO in Actie trade union are calling for a nationwide day of action by all public sector workers to protest at red tape and staff shortages.

Jan van de Ven and Thijs Roovers say in an open letter in the AD that police officers, nurses, defence staff and teachers should organise a joint strike and protest in The Hague on October 2.

The €2bn a year, which the government’s decision to scrap the tax on dividends will cost the treasury, could be better spent on the public sector, they argue. Not allocating money for more police officers, nurses, defense staff and teachers is a political choice, however you put it, they say.

The AD says healthcare workers are interested in a joint strike and that they too are angered by the €2bn tax cut for foreign investors.

In June primary school teachers and employers reached an agreement on a new pay deal but PO in Actie is pressing ahead with its campaign to close the gap between primary and secondary teaching salary scales.