Next Thursday and Friday, pharmacy workers across the Netherlands will strike once more, closing nearly 2,000 pharmacies, according to unions CNV and FNV. Since September, pharmacists nationwide have been protesting, initially through rolling strikes.
In November, about 10,000 pharmacists gathered at The Hague’s Malieveld to protest high workloads and demand higher pay. Last month, pharmacists planned a multi-day strike, which would have closed around 1,950 pharmacies for nine days.
The pharmacy trade association filed a court injunction due to potential health risks for patients, and days before Christmas, the court prohibited the strike. Pharmacy workers will continue actions next week as no agreement on higher wages has been reached.
Union negotiators Ralph Smeets (FNV) and Albert Spieseke (CNV) stated, “The workers’ patience is exhausted.” They demand a 6% wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2024, while employers offer 2%. Smeets and Spieseke noted the strong willingness to strike among pharmacists, emphasizing the court’s recognition of the importance of pharmacy workers to public health.
Emergency care will be ensured during the nationwide strike, but patients may need to visit different pharmacies for urgent medications.
Source: NOS