The FNV union is calling on bus drivers to go on strike this week. Travelers taking the bus from Wednesday to Friday this week should expect cancellations, transport companies say. The strike is across the country.

Regional transport drivers have gone on strike more than once this year. Among other things, FNV wants compensation for the 10 percent price increase and a reduction in work pressure. Rosters are erratic and absenteeism is high, FNV says.

The conflict has been going on for months. The union FNV never signed the current collective agreement. Because the union CNV put the collective agreement into effect in June of this year. FNV wants better arrangements to be made to offset inflation and combat work pressures.

“This can be done by breaking the current collective agreement or by good agreements in the new collective agreement,” says director Marijn van der Gaag. “Negotiations with employers in regional transport have achieved almost nothing in recent years.”

Effects still unclear

The employers say it is not possible to say in advance how many buses will be canceled. On the previous strike days, 70 percent of the journeys could be continued, albeit with regional differences. For example, in regions with more CNV members, drivers drive more.

The extent of this strike will become clear on the days themselves, employers say. That also depends on the willingness of the drivers to go on strike. According to the FNV trade union, 70 to 80 percent of regional bus services will come to a standstill if all of their members participate.

Employers have said they will not enter into discussions with FNV on the current collective agreement as it is already in place. The current collective agreement runs until the end of this year. Talks for the new collective agreement are stalling because the employers don’t want to talk as long as the strikes continue. “And we will continue to strike as long as there is no concrete proposal from the employers,” says Van der Gaag. “So it’s stuck.”