Wage battle intensifies as
unions confirm strike plan
10 June 2005
AMSTERDAM — A strike by rail staff has moved a step closer given the refusal of network authority ProRail to respond to a union ultimatum.
The union FNV Bondegnoten said on Friday ProRail had remained silent despite an ultimatum to initiate negotiations over workplace demands.
The union had earlier warned it would stage a 24-hour strike on Friday 17 June if ProRail did not respond by 10 June.
A work stoppage of ProRail’s 3,000 employees will lead to nationwide rail chaos. International services would also be disrupted.
A union official said a strike can only be prevented if ProRail enters into discussions over workplace conditions.
ProRail proposed [url="http://www.expatica.com/source/site_banner_clicks.asp?banner_id=992&ad_id=106770"][/url]calling together an arbitration commission on Thursday to discuss the dispute. However, unions rejected the call, stressing its demands are already known.
Unions are seeking to close the gap in wages paid to staff of Dutch rail operator NS and ProRail. NS workers earn more than their ProRail colleagues.
ProRail has agreed to increase wages by 2.75 percent in 2005 and 2006, but unions want a 4.75 percent wage rise.
[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2005] |
登录
