If Arriva does not meet the union's demands before Tuesday, March 5, 17.00 p.m., strikes will follow.
The transition from Keolis to Arriva in regional transport has led to great dissatisfaction among bus drivers and the trade union FNV Streektransport. After the takeover on December 10, 2023, Arriva is experiencing significant problems, which has significantly increased the workload among its staff. FNV has now issued an ultimatum to Arriva, with the threat of strikes if improvements are not made.
Since Arriva took over from Keolis, significant changes have been made to drivers' driving and rest times, which has immediately led to unrest. Marijn van der Gaag, FNV director, explains: “The transition went poorly. Immediately after the takeover, Arriva intervened in the existing agreements, which made the timetable so tight that delays are a constant risk.” This not only has consequences for the drivers, who are under high work pressure, but also for passengers, who can no longer count on a reliable timetable.
"There has been a bad transition. Arriva immediately cut existing agreements about driving and rest times. These agreements were there for a reason. The timetable is therefore now so tightly planned that delays are constantly lurking. This creates an extremely high workload for drivers and passengers who can no longer rely on that timetable."
Arriva took over transport from Keolis on December 10, 2023, which has caused many problems.
The problems surrounding workload are not new in the sector, but the situation at Arriva appears to have reached a new low. The union demands that the conditions and agreements that applied at Keolis, including the driving and rest times that guarantee drivers a 30-minute break, are restored. “Drivers really need this break to be able to function during long shifts,” Van der Gaag emphasizes.
The willingness to take action among the staff is remarkably high, with more than 96% of FNV members having expressed their support for possible actions during a members meeting. This highlights the seriousness of the situation and the drivers' determination to demand change.
Arriva, with more than 400 employees, now faces a significant challenge. The company must find a way to both meet the union's demands and improve passenger service. It is a delicate balance between ensuring good working conditions for staff and maintaining an efficient and reliable timetable for passengers.
The issue at Arriva is indicative of broader problems within the transport sector, where workloads and staff shortages are increasingly giving rise to conflict. FNV's ultimatum to Arriva underlines the urgency of the situation and the need for quick action to prevent further escalation in the form of strikes.
