A nationwide train strike is expected to severely disrupt rail traffic across the Netherlands this Friday as NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) staff, encouraged by unions VVMC and FNV Spoor, initiate industrial action in the central region. The strike stems from a breakdown in negotiations between railway unions and NS management regarding a new collective labor agreement.

The strike’s impact will be substantial, rendering train travel virtually impossible throughout the country. The central location of Utrecht, a crucial hub for train routes and coordinating departments, means that a strike there will have a knock-on effect for the entire network.

The dispute centers on wage increases and working conditions. Unions are demanding higher wage increases to compensate for inflation and to provide better terms for employees engaged in demanding and irregular work. VVMC is seeking an annual wage increase of 8 percent, while FNV Spoor is requesting a 7 percent annual raise, in addition to inflation compensation.

Negotiations between the unions and NS management have been ongoing since January but reached a deadlock last month. The NS has offered a 5.75 percent wage increase over 27 months (from March 1, 2025, to June 1, 2027), equating to an annual increase of 2.55 percent, which the unions deem insufficient.

The unions have warned that Friday’s strike is only the beginning and that further industrial action will follow if the NS fails to meet their demands. While NS trains operate across most of the Netherlands, smaller rail carriers like Arriva are not involved in these specific negotiations and will not be affected by the strike.