Ferry operators to strike on September 9: no ferry service between North and the rest of Amsterdam all day

On September 9, public transport in Amsterdam will come to a complete standstill as GVB employees, including ferry operators, participate in a 24-hour strike. This labor action will result in the total suspension of bus, tram, metro, and ferry services throughout the city, effectively isolating the borough of North from the rest of the capital. With 112,000 residents affected, local authorities are currently exploring alternative transport options, though commuters may need to rely on cars or bicycles via the Schellingwouderbrug. It remains uncertain if the IJtunnel will be opened to cyclists, as was the case during a national strike in 2019.

The strike is organized by the FNV union to protest proposed government austerity measures totaling 6.5 billion euros, which include changes to retirement age and social security benefits. Public transport workers argue these cuts threaten their future safety nets, particularly given the physically demanding nature of their roles. This follows a previous partial strike in June, though the upcoming demonstration is expected to cause significantly more disruption across the entire Amsterdam transit network.