No less than 93% of the members of FNV Spoor have rejected the contraction plan of the NS management. The members now want FNV Spoor to submit a package of requirements to the NS. If the NS does not want to respond to this, the vast majority of the members are willing to take action.
Henri Janssen, director of FNV Spoor: 'The members are clear, they put a big line through the contraction plan of the NS. It makes sense to keep the workforce moving with the timetable. But the members do not wish to become the Ryanair of the Dutch railways. They want a NS in which service and social safety can be offered at stations and in trains, also for passengers. The Dutch Railways wants to close many counters, from 30 to 10 service stations and only one conductor on all trains. It is a social organization with the important task of keeping the Netherlands mobile in a safe way. NS also plays a crucial role in the sustainability goals of the Netherlands. Shrinkage would also put a brake on these greening ambitions. '
slap in the face
The shrinkage plans are a slap in the face for the members. According to Janssen, NS wants employees to be even more flexible and agile than is already the case. Another point that the members are not satisfied with is the zero line used by the NS and the large number of jobs, about 13,5 percent, that are at risk. Janssen: 'The Dutch Railways also wants to keep the trade unions at bay during the reorganization, which is also not negotiable for members.'
package of demands in corona time
FNV Spoor will shortly come up with a package of requirements that includes, among other things, the preservation of employment, so that the quality and social safety of the travelers are preserved, retention of wages, pension accrual and the pension agreement for the elderly. Janssen: 'In March, the collective bargaining agreement was suspended due to corona. It is clear that the world now looks different and that will also be reflected in our package of requirements. But the employees earn more than the current offer. '
Also read: The FNV sees no point in more market forces on the railways
