Download article in original language : NL0104130NNL.DOC
Following a series of strikes over proposed new duty rosters at Dutch Railways (NS), and failed attempts at arbitration and mediation (which included the transport minister), a new agreement on the issue was signed on 23 April 2001 by management and the FNV and CNV trade unions. The deal provides for the new rosters to come into force in June 2001, as planned, but allows the works council to draw up an alternative plan. It also contains provisions on improved employment conditions. The agreement is opposed by the independent Trade Union for Engine Drivers and Conductors (VVMC).
On 23 April 2001, a new agreement was signed between Dutch Railways (Nederlandse Spoorwegen, NS) and the Dutch Trade Union Federation (Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging, FNV) and the Christian Trade Union Federation (Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond, CNV). The deal aims to put an end to a long-running dispute, which has seen several strikes, over NS's reorganisation plan (NL0102125F). The reorganisation plan provides for a much-contested new duty roster, scheduled to take effect on 10 June 2001, which entails assigning personnel to fixed routes.
The April agreement provides essentially that the disputed duty roster will come into effect from 10 June, while the prospect of improved conditions of employment is held out to personnel. By having the new duty roster accepted, management has achieved its most important demand. However, at the same time, it has been agreed to allow the NS works council (ondernemingsraad) to draft an alternative "production model". The works council may develop this new production model (or duty roster) under certain preconditions. The model may not entail additional costs or resources, while measures to reduce delays must be included and the growing number of passengers must be taken into account. In time, the hotly-contested fixed duty routes (derisively referred to by personnel as "going around the village church in circles") may thus disappear if the works council proposes viable alternatives. If management does not agree to the works council's plan, a binding arbitration procedure will follow.
The agreement also contains provisions addressing virtually all the points raised by NS personnel, and attention was paid to the deteriorating working atmosphere on the railways. Agreed provisions cover absence form work and personnel policy, respecting employees' leisure time, personal safety on the trains and the social consequences of reorganisation.
After several failed attempts at arbitration by former employers' association and trade union leaders and the Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, various strikes had brought rail transport to a standstill in the first half of April (NL0104128N). Although the rank-and-file "personnel collectives" united in the independent Trade Union for Engine Drivers and Conductors (Vakvereniging voor Machinisten en Conducteurs, VVMC) were the first to threaten strikes, it was the FNV-affiliated Allied Unions (FNV Bondgenoten) which were the first to initiate a two-day strike. While VVMC initially backed down from striking after being promised concessions by management, a week later it decided that industrial action would indeed be the best way to demonstrate its dissatisfaction to management and called a strike. Consequently, aside from frustrating travellers, this also led to enormous confusion in trade union terms, since the unions were not striking together. Following the April agreement, it remains to be seen what will happen at the various meetings called by union members, while it is already clear that VVMC opposes the deal.