Politics
Unions: Public Transport Strikes Called Off After Cuts Scrapped
Hans Spekman, chairman of union FNV, announced that public transport strikes are cancelled after the Dutch cabinet scrapped planned cuts to unemployment (WW) and disability (WIA) benefits. This decision fulfills the unions' ultimatum, ending protests that had paralyzed transport and other sectors. The minority government hopes this concession will secure support from parties PRO and VOLT for the budget, though Finance Minister Heinen noted that filling the remaining budget gap still requires input from social partners.
Ozetta summarises; the reporting is the newsroom's