nuOct 14, 2026, 03:07

Regional transport workers go on strike: 'I want to stand up for my future'

Regional bus drivers in the Netherlands have launched a series of strikes to protest proposed changes to their work schedules and longer, ten-hour shifts. The workers argue these new conditions negatively impact their personal lives and safety, while employers maintain that negotiations should have been handled without industrial action.

Regional bus drivers in the Netherlands are engaging in strikes to protest proposed changes to their collective labor agreement. Drivers like Udo Schuurmans and Wim van den Hoek object to plans that would shorten notice periods for schedules and extend workdays to ten hours, including unpaid breaks. They argue these adjustments unfairly impact their private lives and compromise safety due to the high levels of concentration required for driving. The strike affects approximately thirteen thousand employees in city and regional transport, excluding major urban centers like Amsterdam. FNV union plans to conduct rolling strikes until Christmas, with dates announced 48 hours in advance to maintain pressure on employers.

While some drivers view strikes as essential for protecting working conditions, others like Stefan Specken express reservations, noting the negative impact on passengers who rely on public transport. Meanwhile, the Association of Employers in Public Transport has expressed disappointment, stating that they hoped for a resolution through negotiations rather than industrial action.

Economy Business Amsterdam Netherlands

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Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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