Dutch transport employers propose renewed talks, seeking six-week strike pause

Dutch public transport employers have sent trade unions a new proposal to restart negotiations on a collective labour agreement covering 13,000 workers, but say they want a six-week halt to strike action if talks resume. The unions have until 1pm on Wednesday to respond and say they are studying the offer. [1]

The employers’ association, VWOV, sent the proposal on Wednesday morning. It follows contact between the parties after employers made an earlier move on Tuesday to bring the unions back to the negotiating table, a VWOV spokesperson told ANP. [1]

The unions staged their first nationwide strike in urban and regional public transport last Wednesday. A second nationwide strike is scheduled for Thursday. Negotiations for a new public transport agreement broke down in July; the workers covered include bus drivers at operators such as Arriva and Transdev. [1]