Netherlands: regional bus and train strike on Wednesday 14 October 2026, then one day a week until Christmas (FNV/CNV)

The unions FNV and CNV have called a nationwide strike in regional public transport on Wednesday 14 October 2026, the first of one strike day a week until Christmas; the unions announce each following day in the week before. Their ultimatum to the employers' association VWOV expired on 7 October without an agreement.

What to expect: on 14 October staff of Arriva, EBS, Keolis and Qbuzz stop work for the whole day. Regional and city buses run by these companies and the regional trains of Arriva, Keolis and Qbuzz may not run. City transport in Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam is not covered by this agreement and runs; NS trains are not part of this strike. Check your operator's travel information before leaving.

Why: the unions want the employers to drop proposals they say worsen rosters and breaks, address workload, protect older workers, give equal terms to agency staff and raise pay — FNV asks 6%, CNV 9.5% over two years. VWOV says its offer was fair and calls the unions back to the table.