Netherlands: FNV union organizes “free public transportation” operation to send a message on the pension reform

The two biggest FNV unions, Abvakabo (civil servants) and FNV and Allies (manufacturing) wanted to raise the public’s awareness regarding the reform of retirement age, discussed on January 20 at the Parliament. The social partners should give an opinion in front of a Parliamentary committee on the extension of retirement age from 65 to 67 in 2020. The FNV, opposed to the project at first, finally came around in December (see our dispatch No. 091159). The union wanted to express its point of view outside rush hours, not blocking passengers with a usual strike. In Rotterdam and The Hague, public transportation firms agreed but the GVB in Amsterdam and GVU in Utrecht went to court on January 19 to prevent the operation. The judge thought that the trade unions’ problem wasn’t with employers but with the government and that it was therefore inappropriate to involve public transportation in their action. The FNV lodged an appeal to this verdict, which restricted its campaign to Rotterdam and Utrecht.
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n Utrecht went to court on January 19 to prevent the operation. The judge thought that the trade unions’ problem wasn’t with employers but with the government and that it was therefore inappropriate to involve public transportation in their action. The FNV lodged an appeal to this verdict, which restricted its campaign to Rotterdam and Utrecht.

Planet Labor, January 21, 2010, No. 100057 – www.planetlabor.com

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