1,100 agents on strike and discernible chaos. This was the toughest social conflict in the Netherlands since 1933 – garbage piled up in train stations, at the Schiphol airport and at some administrative facilities. The 150,000 cleaning agents in the Netherlands, supported by the Federation of Dutch Unions and Allies (FNV Bondgenoten) finally gained satisfaction when they threatened to strike on April 30 (Koninginndedag, Queen’s Day). When the negotiations for the new collective agreement started in November, employers first stood on their grounds: first, no increase, then a maximum 2.5% increase while unions were demanding 4%. Nine weeks of strike, the longest since 1933, were needed before employers caved. During the peak of the strike, which started in February, only 1,100 agents stopped working, causing discernable chaos for the passengers. The strike wasn’t simply about wages but also about the work load, which has become too important because of competition between cleaning companies.
nginndedag, Queen’s Day). When the negotiations for the new collective agreement started in November, employers first stood on their grounds: first, no increase, then a maximum 2.5% increase while unions were demanding 4%. Nine weeks of strike, the longest since 1933, were needed before employers caved. During the peak of the strike, which started in February, only 1,100 agents stopped working, causing discernable chaos for the passengers. The strike wasn’t simply about wages but also about the
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