Train traffic in Drenthe has been virtually at a standstill since this morning due to the strike of NS personnel, who are doing a relay race in all regions in the Netherlands. Today it is the turn of the Central Netherlands. But because the ‘rail junction’ Utrecht Central is located there, the work stoppage has far-reaching consequences for the whole of the Netherlands.
Many trains depart or arrive in Utrecht, and the coordination of other train traffic is concentrated in the city, the NS explains. The carrier only operates on the Amsterdam Central – Schiphol route.
Wim Eilert of the railway union VVMC was ‘surprised’ when he heard about this. “I can imagine that there will be some problems around the center of the Netherlands, but flattening the other parts of the country, we don’t understand that.” According to the union leader, this is a decision of the NS board.
For the Northern Netherlands, it means the second day within a week that NS train traffic is at a standstill. The regional carriers, such as Blauwnet and Arriva, do run according to their normal timetable.
It is still uncertain whether these strike actions will continue. Employees are giving up work because of failed collective labor agreement negotiations, a way out is not yet in sight. “We have not heard anything to date, the NS apparently does not feel the need to sit down with the unions again, while it starts talking.”
The commitment of the railway union in possible new negotiations is already certain, assures Eilert. “The NS has to take a big wallet with you.” The railway operator previously said that some of the collective labor agreement requirements of the unions are ‘practically unenforceable’.