AMSTERDAM – [update ma 10:30 uur] The conductors of NS International who work on the Intercity Brussels will stop working all day on Wednesday 22 September. They are angry because they are paid less than their colleagues who work at Thalys Eurostar and ICE Berlin & Nightjet. For example, they receive a lower surcharge than the usual one as compensation for extra knowledge of foreign laws and regulations.

Henri Janssen, FNV Spoor: “The conductor of NS International has taken a demanding package but are not paid according to it. What makes an extra boost is that there is no difference in pay between the drivers of NS International who work on the three different parts Why does their employer do that to the conductors?”

Rob de Groot, director of VVMC: “The negotiations that started in 2018 were halted because of corona and suddenly NS International comes with a final offer that makes no sense. Not only does the employer offer considerably less than what we asked our members, the income differences between the conductor of the Intercity Brussels with their colleagues at Thalys Eurostar and the ICE Berlin & Nightjet are increasing even further.”

The members of both unions have massively rejected NS Internationale’s final offer. It feels to them like a stab in their carpet.

The strike at NS International starts in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, just after midnight. There will then be no trains from Amsterdam to Brussels for 24 hours. Janssen: “We understand very well that we have met travelers with this promotion, but the management of NS International gives us and our members no other choice.”

If NS International does not come up with a better offer, the unions will not rule out new actions, also on other international NS trains.