Cleaners to strike again at stations, Schiphol and universities

Cleaners across the Netherlands are launching a new wave of strikes affecting train stations, Schiphol Airport, and various universities. These protests, which are scheduled from Friday through Wednesday, include a major national action day organized by the FNV union. This marks the second time in a month that workers have taken collective action to demand better employment conditions. The unrest stems from a dispute over a new collective labor agreement concluded between the employers and the CNV union, which the FNV and over 80 percent of its members have rejected.

Workers are calling for higher wage increases, compensation for rising costs, and improved benefits for sick leave. Although the current agreement offers a 6.1 percent pay raise over two years and improved travel allowances, the FNV maintains that the demands of the workforce remain unmet. Union representatives report high willingness among members to strike as they wait for employers to return to the negotiating table. Despite previous industrial actions, major disruptions have been limited thus far.