Court orders minimum staffing during ANWB strike

A court in Utrecht has ordered unions FNV and CNV to maintain minimum staffing during Monday’s 12-hour strike at the ANWB, requiring some staff to work if voluntary cover falls short. The ruling partially grants the roadside-assistance organisation’s request to keep essential services running and protect safety on Dutch roads.

The judge set minimum staffing levels for each ANWB department. For roadside assistance, the ANWB had sought 70 per cent staffing; the court ruled that 12.5 per cent would be enough to help in the highest-priority cases, such as a car stopped in a tunnel.

The court did, however, accept the ANWB’s request for 85 per cent staffing at its emergency call centre, saying every incoming call should be answered personally. If employees willing to work do not meet the required levels, the unions must call on members to return to work.

The unions may also call striking members back in the event of a major emergency. They had told the court they were willing to do so in the event of a very serious accident.

FNV said the ruling would not affect the planned strike. “This is a workable ruling with which we can organise Monday’s strike properly,” said FNV official Paul Lathouwers. The unions said they would comply, adding that capacity would remain to secure vehicles in dangerous locations and answer the phone, while regular emergency services would still be available for acute emergencies.

The unions called on ANWB employees to stop work for 12 hours as part of a longer dispute over stalled collective labour agreement negotiations. The action is also due to include a gathering in The Hague. The ANWB had gone to court seeking guarantees of minimum staffing during the strike.