Refuse collectors resolve strike in Amsterdam

Refuse collectors resolved their strike which initially began on Queen’s Day (Koninginnedag), April 30th, and then continued from May 6th until the 15th. Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 15/05/2010.

The strike was in support of a 2.75% pay deal which was reached between unions and employers late on Saturday. This year workers will see a 1.5% pay rise with a higher end of year bonus. Next year they will get a further pay rise and bonus of 0.5%.

Some estimate it will take at least a week for the rubbish to be cleaned up. Others embraced the rubbish around the northern area of the Keizersgracht, where people had graffitied it creating works of art.