The Court of Amsterdam blocked the public transportation strike which should have been held this morning in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. The judges judged that the negative impact of this strike organized by the civil servants’ union (Abvakabo) and the FNV and Allies (FNV Bondgenoten) would be to important to the economy and that unions had other ways to express themselves about retirement age. According to the Court seized by public transportation firms, there can only be a strike when there is an ongoing dispute between employers and employees. And it wasn’t the case since the talks on retirement at 67 ended on September 30 – and failed. Unions were disappointed by the verdict but they maintained their call for a 65-minute strike on October 7 between 11:55 am and 1 pm instead of three hours during rush hours. Agnes Jongerius, FNV general secretary, announced that she would give a speech in Utrecht during the day. This is a first time such a verdict has been rendered since 2003 – when the last large demonstrations against the removal of early retirement were organized. Strikes, pretty rare in the Netherlands, are considered as the ultimate was to show discontent and to make the government cave. It was forbidden in civil service and railways from 1903 to 1980 after the European Social Charter was signed. Since then, judges individually appreciate the right to strike for civil servants and railroaders.
al of early retirement were organized. Strikes, pretty rare in the Netherlands, are considered as the ultimate was to show discontent and to make the government cave. It was forbidden in civil service and railways from 1903 to 1980 after the European Social Charter was signed. Since then, judges individually appreciate the right to strike for civil servants and railroaders.
Planet Labor, October 7, 2009, No. 090910 – www.planetlabor.com
Do you have information to share with us?