The longest strike in the Netherlands since 1933 has just ended, with a remarkable victory by more than 1,000 janitors who have been on strike for nine weeks.
FNV Bondgenoten, one of SEIU's global partner unions, reports that the workers will receive a 3.5 percent wage increase over a two-year contract, and the strikers will receive a significant lump sum payment from their employers.
Temporary workers who went on strike will get their jobs back; and Dutch language lessons will be offered to new workers--and they will get a bonus of 750 Euros (approximately $1,000 US) if they complete the 3-month course.
The union will also receive funds from the employers to increase union density--all in all, a remarkable victory for our Dutch brothers and sisters.
The Dutch cleaners were very active during the strike--organizing an occupation and sleepover at the central train station in the city of Utrecht and even organizing the children of the striking workers to petition the queen of the Netherlands! The Dutch public strongly supported all the efforts of the cleaners.
The prime focus of the strike was the contractor responsible for the Dutch railways and at Schipol airport in Amsterdam.
