New roster introduced at Dutch Railways despite rejection by largest union

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In June 2001, Dutch Railways (NS) implemented a highly controversial new duty roster - which has been the subject of substantial industrial action in recent months - despite the fact that an agreement on its introduction has been rejected by the largest rail trade union, FNV Bondgenoten. However, due to a lack of equipment and staff (with high levels of absence), NS has already been forced to amend the new schedule.

Following a series of strikes over proposed new duty rosters at Dutch Railways (Nederlandse Spoorwegen, NS) (NL0102125F) and failed attempts at arbitration and mediation (NL0104128N), a new agreement on the issue was concluded on 23 April 2001 (NL0104130N) by management and the main trade unions. The deal provided for the controversial new rosters, involving fixed routes for many staff, to come into force on 10 June 2001. However, in May, the NS agreement was rejected at a meeting by the members of the largest rail union, the Allied Unions (FNV Bondgenoten) affiliated to the Dutch Trade Union Federation (Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging, FNV) (NL0106134N).

Despite the rejection by FNV Bondgenoten, the deal was signed by management and the two other unions, the sectoral affiliate of the Christian Trade Union Federation (Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond, CNV) and the independent Trade Union for Engine Drivers and Conductors (Vakvereniging voor Machinisten en Conducteurs, VVMC). The issue of the new duty roster, which will effectively tie staff to specific regions, raised so much controversy internally that both FNV Bondgenoten and VVMC decided to ban the rank-and-file "personnel collectives" which have been active in the dispute from attending meetings, and to expel them altogether if they have dual union membership.

Under the leadership of the Belgian transportation economist, Chris Peeters, an arbitration committee set up by the Minister of Transport has attempted to find a solution to the roster problem. The Peeters committee deemed management's proposed schedule and date of introduction for the new duty roster - involving a 13-week preparatory period - to be acceptable. However, the committee also stated that partial introduction would have been an option if relations had not deteriorated to such an extent that management was not willing to give an inch. Although the NS works council, which as part of the April agreement may seek to develop an alternative duty roster, is keen to call on Mr Peeters' expertise, it would also like to make sure that the underlying problems, such as staff shortages and absence, are addressed.

Despite expectations of chaos when the trains began running according to the new duty roster on 10 June, travellers experienced little disruption. Staff did not call in sick en masse, as expected in some quarters, but tolerated the agreement and upheld the new schedule. However, on a daily basis throughout June, various lines were taken out of operation due to insufficient equipment and personnel. For this reason, NS management decided to make changes to the new schedule to at least provide travellers with some degree of certainty. The unions had from the start claimed that there was a problem of ageing and infrequently checked equipment.

The works council estimates the current rate of absence from work among operational NS personnel at between 25% and 30%, though management states that it is closer to 15%. Management is now conducting a survey amongst all the company's staff to assess their satisfaction with the new duty roster - six months too late, according to the unions.