These so-called relay strikes are an initiative of WOinAction in cooperation with the unions AOb, FNV and LSVb. The goal is to get the education budget, which the Lower House agreed to after lengthy negotiations, rejected by the Upper House.

“After the national demonstration on November 25, the cuts were reduced from 2 billion to 1.3 billion, but it’s still a sledgehammer blow that will affect hundreds of jobs. That’s simply unacceptable,” says Bernard Koekoek of FNV. “That’s why we’re pushing on, and also taking a step further with this relay strike.” Whether and when a university goes on strike is determined by the university community – employees and students – not the university administration.

Relay kicks off

The relay strike kicked off on Monday with Leiden University and University of Applied Sciences Leiden. Local police counted a total of just under three thousand demonstrators, including politicians Rob Jetten (D66) and Frans Timmermans (GroenLinks-PvdA). On Tuesday, it was Utrecht’s turn, and Utrecht University, the University of Humanistic Studies and HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht suspended work.

In the coming weeks, universities and universities of applied sciences across the country will take turns participating in this relay strike. Several universities have already set a strike date. Union FNV previously stated that the TU/e community is also interested in going on strike, but so far, no official date has been set.

Eindhoven strike

Therefore, TU/e student Lieke van der Zee has taken matters into her own hands and is organizing an action meeting in Neuron next Tuesday. “The purpose of this meeting is to set a strike date for Eindhoven,” Van der Zee explains. “I also hope that this will get the ball rolling and people will pass on the news to their colleagues or fellow students.”

Van der Zee is very busy sending e-mails to reach as many members of the TU/e community as possible, including to all the deans and the Executive Board. “And I’m also going to invite the mayor of Eindhoven and people from industry to attend.”

Strike versus demonstration

TU/e does not express support for the current strikes, the university spokesperson informs. “In accordance with the European Social Charter, employees have the right to strike in the event of a conflict over employment conditions with the employer. However, these strikes are directed at choices made by this cabinet, which makes them ‘political strikes’. There is no legal basis for that.”

Despite not explicitly voicing its support, the university does allow employees and students the freedom to participate in a potential Eindhoven strike. The university’s guidelines for this are nearly identical to those that were in place during the national demonstration on November 25. However, that demonstration was endorsed, and even the Board President attended.

The guidelines state that employees are free to participate in a strike in Eindhoven. Employees who participate do not need to take leave, but they are expected to consult with their supervisor in advance and lecturers must ensure that students do not miss any course material or tests as a result. Students are also free to join the action unless they have tests or practicals that cannot be rescheduled.