A month-long strike by Polish workers at Albert Heijn supermarket distribution centers in the Netherlands has been suspended, according to the FNV trade union. The strike, involving over 300 temporary workers, was in protest of a new collective labor agreement perceived to worsen working conditions.

The FNV has decided to pause the action for two to three months to reassess the situation and strategize moving forward. Talks with the ABU, the Dutch association of temporary employment agencies, are scheduled for September.

During the suspension, the FNV intends to broaden its focus by visiting other companies that employ temporary workers, including major players like DHL, PostNL, and logistics firm GXO, to raise awareness about the issues at hand.

One immediate outcome of the strike was a policy change by employment agency Otto Workforce. On July 16, Otto Workforce announced that sick leave would be fully paid for up to 26 weeks, eliminating the previous unpaid waiting day.

The decision to suspend the strike was influenced by legal concerns regarding the focus on Albert Heijn, as the disputed agreement affects all agency workers. The FNV also cited limited support beyond Polish workers and difficulties in expanding the action during the summer holiday period as contributing factors to the suspension.

Some strikers expressed surprise at the sudden halt of the strike. Paulina Nietupska, an FNV representative in Tilburg, stated that efforts would now concentrate on strengthening networks in other sectors and increasing involvement of workers of other nationalities, such as Bulgarians and Romanians.

Reports indicate that many strikers have not received work shifts since ending their action, as staffing agencies have been filling vacancies with new hires. The FNV has pledged to provide legal assistance to those who are now unemployed where possible.