Train drivers’ union calls off Saturday strikes

“That doesn’t mean we’ve given up,” spokesperson Olivier Jardez said after the meeting at which the decision was taken. “We’ll be back in September with even tougher action.”

 

The union claimed it had given in to threats from NMBS management. On its Facebook page, the union reports that the planned further actions in July and August would not be considered to be covered by the strike announcement made earlier, which is required by law. Those strikes would be considered unlawful, and would leave the union open to a claim for damages for illegal absence of its members.

 

“We dispute this interpretation and will be studying it in detail. In the meantime, however, we prefer not to take the risk. In addition, the decision was taken out of respect for commuters, so as not to hold them hostage during this holiday period,” Jardez said.

 

The ASTB, which is not officially recognised by the NMBS, is protesting for more pay and better working conditions. Its actions are not supported by the two main rail unions.

 

Last Saturday’s strike, the first in the planned series, was countered by the NMBS, who took on extra drivers for the day to allow them to run nine out of 10 scheduled trains as normal, despite the ASTB action. The union admitted that the NMBS’ Plan B had worked well.

 

“We’ve made no progress and the tension has just got worse,” Jardez said. “We are considering a fight to the finish in September.”