ProRail Reaches Agreement with Union: Strikes on Dutch Railways Officially Over
The Dutch railway sector can breathe a sigh of relief as ProRail and labor union FNV Spoor have reached an agreement on a new collective labor agreement (CAO). The announcement, made on Friday, marks the end of weeks of disruption caused by strikes from ProRail employees, including train traffic controllers.
Pending Member Approval
While the deal has been announced, it still requires approval from union members in the coming week. If the vote goes smoothly, the agreement is expected to be officially signed on December 10. Although approval is not guaranteed, the chances of rejection appear minimal. FNV has presented the agreement with a positive recommendation to its members, and the other unions, CNV and VHS Railprofessionals, have followed suit.
Strikes and Demands
The dispute primarily revolved around wage increases. FNV Spoor had demanded a 13% pay rise for ProRail’s 5,400 employees to compensate for inflation over the past two years. ProRail, however, initially offered an average increase of 5%, citing the high cost of meeting FNV’s demands, which would have amounted to nearly €50 million.
The strikes, staged during morning rush hours across different regions, caused significant disruption for commuters and escalated tensions between the parties. ProRail maintained that its employees were already "well-paid," while FNV argued that the company mismanaged resources by excessively relying on expensive external contractors.
A Rapid Resolution
Talks resumed earlier this week, and to many observers' surprise, an agreement was reached quickly. While specific details of the new CAO remain under wraps until Monday, it is clear that both sides have made concessions. ProRail had previously suggested it was open to increasing travel reimbursements and improving parental leave policies to bridge the gap with FNV Spoor’s demands.
Positive Outcome for Travelers
Marc de Natris, a representative for VHS Railprofessionals, expressed satisfaction with the agreement. He highlighted that all unions are now aligned and supportive of the new CAO. "This brings stability to ProRail as an organization and reassures train travelers that there won’t be any further strikes in the foreseeable future," he said.
For now, the Dutch railway sector looks set for calmer times, with the focus shifting back to smooth operations and uninterrupted service for passengers.