Automobilists facing vehicle breakdowns on Monday must prepare for extended waiting times as a substantial share of roadside assistance staff walks off the job, De Telegraaf reported.
- Staff Walkout: FNV and CNV union members at the ANWB will halt operations for twelve hours on Monday following stalled collective labor agreement negotiations. The work stoppage starts at 09:00 in the morning and lasts until 9:00 in the evening, with the old collective agreement already having expired half a year ago.
- Court Mandate: A Dutch court ruled that a minimum operational capacity of 12.5 percent must remain active to safeguard high-priority traffic situations.
- Union Demands: Workers are pushing for a 6 percent wage increase alongside a standardized 36-hour workweek with fixed days off, a complete thirteenth month, and better schedules.
The legal battle concluded on Friday when a judge ruled in summary proceedings that a skeleton crew must remain on duty to preserve roadway safety. The ANWB management initially sought a mandatory minimum of 70 percent for the Wegenwacht road service, 100 percent for planning, and 95 percent of the people who would normally be working at that moment at the alarm center to prevent severe gridlock, according to De Telegraaf and RTL.nl coverage. The court established that a 12.5 percent operational staffing level remains sufficient to address critical emergencies, such as a disabled vehicle stranded inside a tunnel.
The organization feared stranded motorists could not be helped and chaos would erupt on the roads. The court ruled that the strike is lawful, but a restriction is justified “because this is urgently necessary from a societal point of view.”
The organization had also argued that the service is necessary for national road safety, while FNV noted management could have better spent time and money on employees and a good collective agreement rather than legal proceedings.
Last month, management issued a final offer featuring a total wage increase of 7.5 percent over the contract duration alongside flexible leave options, which union members overwhelmingly rejected. FNV representative Paul Lathouwers called the court’s verdict a workable outcome that allows the strike to proceed efficiently.
The judge determined that if those numbers are not met by workers who decide to stay on the job, the unions must call on members to work anyway. Non-striking workers will be deployed first, but striking members must also be able to pitch in during a very serious accident.
Regular emergency services will operate normally, and striking workers retain the obligation to resume duties immediately if a major highway catastrophe occurs. The ANWB had argued for a minimum staffing level of 85 percent at the alarm center so danger and priority can be determined for every incoming call, and the judge agreed with that requirement.
Regular emergency services remain available for acute emergency situations, and Rijkswaterstaat removes the vast majority of vehicles that need to be towed on highways and N-roads. FNV noted that 53 towing companies in the Netherlands can be called upon.
| Metric / Demand | Management Proposal | Union Demands |
|---|---|---|
| Total Wage Increase | 7.5% (Total package) | 6 percent immediate raise |
| Workweek Duration | Standard flexible hours | 36-hour standard workweek |
| Minimum Staffing (Wegenwacht) | Requested 70 percent capacity | Court-mandated 12.5% capacity |
The twelve-hour work stoppage starts at 09:00 on Monday, leaving thousands of stranded motorists dependent on a heavily constrained assistance network. Labor representatives maintain that alternative recovery options exist across the Netherlands, pointing to fifty-three independent towing companies that can theoretically absorb overflow volume.
