The Dutch police unions have made plans to go on strike on the days large festivals such as Pinkpop and Dance Valley take place.

Liberation Day festivities and the Amstel Gold Race are also on the list of potential targets, in the latest escalation of collective action aimed at securing more compensation for the country's police officers. 

Police have already temporarily closed down police stations on specific days and stopped handing out fines for minor infractions, in protest against what they deem inadequate pay from the government. So far these actions have not brought the Justice Ministry to the negotiating table.   

The police unions hope that scheduling strikes during large festivals will put pressure on Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten. The move could lead the mayors of the cities where these events take place to ask the courts to intervene. The courts could order the police officers to work on those days if it deems the safety risk too high.

(dcf)

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