Nijmegen to strike in March, others yet to set a date

Universities will hold a relay strike against the cuts to education and research. Radboud University Nijmegen has become the first to select a date: 13 March.

There is still a proposed cut of 1.3 billion euros to education and research looming. Trade unions and activist groups are opposing this and have announced a ‘relay strike’. Universities will cease work on different days. This week and next week, there will be local meetings with staff to determine when this will take place.

Exact form

Radboud University is thus the first to make the decision. The exact form of the strike is still to be seen. Perhaps the strikers will stand somewhere with banners, or they will leave the lecture hall at a specific time. “It would be nice if students can still follow some education,” said Executive Board Chair Alexandra van Huffelen of Radboud University this week. She did not want to express direct support for the strike, partly because she harbours some hope that the Senate will take action regarding the cuts.

Deal

Since the deal between the coalition and the opposition, the latter has become very unlikely. The compromise with the three Christian parties and JA21 has somewhat mitigated the cuts, but certainly hasn’t eliminated them. The senators are submitting written questions and will still consult with experts regarding the legality and feasibility of the policies, but for now, the cabinet can count on a sizeable majority in the Senate.

“The Nijmegen university president is new, so this statement can be forgiven”, writes Leiden professor Remco Breuker on Bluesky, a prominent member of WOinActie and involved in the strikes. However, he is critical. “We need leaders who stand firmly by our side, not lukewarm words.” If all goes well, the relay will culminate in a national protest. Trade union FNV has no involvement in the planning, a spokesperson states. “The strike dates are determined by activist groups at each university individually. This is primarily a grassroots movement: it all comes from the bottom up.”