Half of regional transport does not run due to strikes, employers and trade unions in talks | Economy

By our economics editors

Mar 10, 2023 at 10:05Update: 14 minutes ago

Travelers will also be affected by strikes in regional transport in Friesland, Groningen, the Achterhoek and Limburg on Friday. There are fewer buses in particular. Employers and trade unions are talking again after a call from travel organization Rover. Earlier in the day, employers called for a breathing space and a temporary halt to the strikes.

Transport company Arriva says that most trains in Friesland, Groningen and the Achterhoek are running, but not in Limburg. Buses are canceled “to a greater or lesser extent” in almost all regions where Arriva operates due to the strikes.

All in all, half of the regional transport runs, according to the Association of Public Transport Employers (VWOV).

Bus and train staff from companies such as Arriva, Qbuzz and Keolis have been on strike more often in recent weeks. They fight for better pay and a reduction in work pressure. Strike days are also planned in the coming weeks. This is also the case on Wednesday 15 March, the day of the elections for the Provincial Council and the water boards.

Employers in regional transport asked the unions and staff on Friday morning to refrain from strikes for the next six weeks. “We want to redo the collective labor agreement puzzle with trade unions. We can do that if there is a breathing space.”

Traveler organization gets both parties back to the table

Travelers’ organization Rover invited employers and trade unions on Friday morning to discuss this together next Monday, March 13. Although the employers previously wanted a strike break before resuming talks, they said they would still accept Rover’s invitation. The same applies to the trade unions.

Rover points out that travelers are being hit hard by the strikes, because they have to miss working days, lessons or other appointments. According to the organization, the current situation harms regional transport. “The longer this impasse lasts, the greater the chance that travelers will drop out,” says director Freek Bos.

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