20 Sep 2021 | 11:52 PM UTC
Netherlands: Conductors on intercity trains between Amsterdam and Brussels to stage 24-hour strike Sept. 22
Unionized railway workers in Amsterdam, Netherlands, plan 24-hour strike Sept. 22. Disruptions likely on routes serving Brussels, Belgium.
Event
Unionized train conductors employed by Dutch rail operator NS International plan to stage a 24-hour strike Sept. 22. The purpose of the action is to demand higher wages in line with those earned by colleagues working for other rail operators in Europe. The work stoppage will specifically target the IC Netherlands service - also known as the Benelux train or "the Amsterdammer" - running between the Netherlands' capital and Brussels, Belgium. Union leaders assert that no trains will operate the IC service on the day of the strike.
Increased demand for alternative transport, including intercity buses, rental cars, and other rail operators serving the Amsterdam-Brussels line, is likely. Residual disruptions could extend for several hours after the strike ends.
Advice
Reconfirm rail schedules and travel arrangements, including rental car and intercity bus availability, if traveling between Amsterdam and Brussels Sept. 22. Consider alternate rail options, such as Thalys, Eurostar, or lines that connect between third cities. Do not check out of accommodations until onward travel is confirmed.
