Following an unfruitful conversation with Minister of Education, Culture and Science Eppo Bruins regarding the budget cuts on higher education, the unions AOB and FNV, together with the student union LSVB and advocacy group WOinActie, have organized sessions at various universities in an effort to organize a series of local strikes. Currently, four strike dates have been announced, with more dates to follow in the coming weeks:
- Leiden University: 10th of March
- Utrecht University: 11th of March
- Radboud University: 13th of March
- University of Amsterdam: 17th of March
Why are there strikes?
In 2024, the current government announced a decrease of the education budget of more than one billion euros. After a series of protests, including the largest higher education protest in decades last November, the government reached an unsatisfying compromise with a collection of opposition parties, with roughly ~700 million euros in cuts remaining.
The remaining cuts target both structural funding for higher education as well as cuts on the NWO, various funds for scientific research and initiatives to increase the quality of science in Dutch academia. These cuts, in addition to already existing financial strain has led to widespread hiring freezes in many universities, as well as layoffs at a various institution.
Will the budget cuts affect me?
Apart from decreasing available funding for future PhD candidates, the budget cuts do not have specific direct effects on existing PhD trajectories. However, the general financial strain faced by many universities will have a variety of indirect effects. The extent to which the budget cuts will affect you largely depends on what type of PhD candidate you are and the financial position of your university or faculty.
For employed PhD candidates, cuts on teaching staff can lead to more teaching tasks and cuts on support staff can lead to more administrative responsibilities. A lack of financial resources will likely mean a decrease in opportunities to organize and attend conferences, as well as valorization related activities. It might also be even more difficult to get contract extensions.
More importantly employed PhD candidates can be dismissed, just like any other employee, if a university decides it needs layoffs to balance its budgets. If, for example, an entire department is cut, this can include PhD candidates regardless of their progress in their trajectory. Before employees can be dismissed, their employer has an obligation to seek alternative employment within its own organization, including non-research activities. In such cases, PhD candidates do not have specific rights to finish their PhD research.
For external PhD candidates, the effects of the budget cuts might include a decrease in top-up funding and other types of funds and grants. In addition, universities might introduce, reintroduce or increase tuition fees for external PhD candidates.
In general, these cuts also mean a decrease in employment prospects in Dutch academia, as well as the end of grants for early career researchers.
Can I strike?
The ability and the right to strike extends only to employed PhD candidates. The right to strike means that PhD candidates are allowed to join in strikes as long as they are organized by unions. To join, you do not have to be a union member, or a member of the specific unions that are calling the strike. In return, the university is not obligated to pay a wage for the duration of the strike.
Members of the unions that are calling for the strike are entitled to a (partial) compensation for lost wages, as well as legal support in case conflict does arise.
External PhD candidates are welcome to join the strike in solidarity, but this is not legally considered striking.
How do I strike?
The point of a strike is to disrupt usual activities in an effort to demonstrate the importance of those activities. This means stopping your work activities (incl. administrative, research and education tasks) for the duration of the strike and signing up as a striker with the organizing unions.
The strikes that are currently being planned will consist of a series of single day strikes at universities across the country, with an alternative program for the day on campus.
While striking, PhD candidates cannot be required to work or arrange their own replacements for education or other activities.
Do I have to strike?
No, you are not obligated to strike, regardless of whether you are a union member.
What else can I do?
It is always recommended, but especially in these times of instability in higher education and potential layoffs in the future, to sign up with a union (before a conflict occurs), such as the general educational union AOB, or the largest general union FNV.
