🚨IMPORTANT NOTICE: The location of the strike has changed to Dam Square in Amsterdam from 12.00.🚨

Key Information

📅 Date: Tuesday 10th of June
📍 Location: Dam Square in Amsterdam
📝 Program: Still has to be fully communicated. We will update you when we have more information.
🤝 The strike was initiated by WO in Actie, the AOb and FNV, student unions, amongst others.

Why is it Important to Strike?

In the last few months, education and research in The Netherlands has received a significant hit, and its future is grim. Many people, also outside of education, are worried about the consequences of these decisions. For many PhD candidates, it induces concern, uncertainty and fear, all while they are already under a lot of pressure.

A new strike has been announced for Tuesday the 10th of June. This day is important, because on Wednesday the 11th of June, the House of Representatives will discuss the Spring Memorandum, including the budget for 2025 and beyond. In the beginning of July, the House of Representatives will continue this discussion and vote in the Senate. This strike is not just against the existing budget cuts, but also additional cuts.

Another strike may feel like another day that could have been spent on work. Although this is true, this is also the point of strike: to induce a disruption and to show how disastrous it will be. It’s a taster of the eventual effects of the budget cuts: now we have work to put down, soon that work could be gone altogether.

A Sign of Solidarity

Striking is also a sign of solidarity: to stand with your colleagues, your friends, your students, your interns, your administrative colleagues, etc. It is a way to stand up for yourself now, and for your future self: even if your PhD trajectory is not affected, your potential postdoc research could be. It also shows solidarity with your educational institution: you are not against them by participating in a strike against the budget cuts, you are instead emphasizing that you support what your institution does: education and research.

Your Fundamental Right to Strike

Going on strike is a fundamental right: your employer cannot stop you, you cannot be forced to make up for lost hours, and you cannot be fired because of your participation. You also do not have to inform your employer or take time off: unions organizing the strike will inform your employer.

Strikes: A Last Resort

Remember that strikes are not a first choice: they are organized when previous efforts have been unsuccessful, to create extra pressure and communicate even louder that we do not agree with these decisions.

Deel deze pagina