# Regional public transport strikes suspended for two weeks

> Union FNV has suspended action in regional public transport (streekvervoer) for two weeks, so Thursday's strike is off while unions and employers resume talks on a new collective labour agreement.

Economy · published 2026-10-21 14:09 · https://nlnow.nl/a/regional-bus-strikes-paused-for-two-weeks-as-pay-talks-resume/

Unions and employers in regional public transport will sit down again to negotiate a new collective labour agreement (cao) after FNV suspended action in the sector for two weeks. The strike planned for Thursday 22 October will not go ahead.

The agreement covers around 13,500 employees in regional public transport. FNV says workers downed tools en masse on 14 October. It says the cao expired at the end of June and talks were stuck for a long time.

"We are choosing a truce at this moment. We are far from a deal, but we do see openings to make progress. We want to go for that. Our members would rather simply carry passengers than strike. We hope to reach agreement, so for now we are putting the actions on hold for two weeks," said Marijn van der Gaag of FNV Streekvervoer.

FNV wants to prevent workers' employment conditions from getting worse. It also wants good agreements on working hours, rosters and enough recovery time after work.

The suspension does not mean the union is dropping its demands. If employers do not go far enough in meeting them, the next action will follow on 7 November.

Van der Gaag said members of FNV and the union CNV are very willing to take action. "If it has to be, we will not hesitate to strike again. It is up to the employers to prevent that. We want a good solution for both the workers and the travellers."

## Background

- **cao (collectieve arbeidsovereenkomst)**: A collective labour agreement (cao) is a written agreement between employers' organisations and trade unions that sets pay, working hours, holiday entitlements and other employment conditions for a whole sector or group of companies. It generally applies to all employees of the covered employers, whether or not they are union members. In regional public transport, the cao sets the terms for staff of bus companies, so its renewal determines their pay and conditions.

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