Police and unions agree on early retirement; Strikes canceled

The unions representing police officers have reached an agreement with police management on early retirement. The agreement states that police officers born in 1961 or earlier can stop working three years before their state pension begins and can bridge this period with a police service.

Police officers have recently campaigned on the issue at various demonstrations and strike actions, including refusing to carry out police duties outside of controversial football matches. The problem reached a critical point as the national government’s early retirement program (RVU) expires at the end of next year. The RVU enables people with demanding jobs to retire earlier.

Police negotiators, who are struggling with staffing shortages, and unions also agreed to encourage longer working hours. Police officers of the 1961 vintage, who continue to work at least until the retirement age is reached, receive a bonus.

In addition to police officers walking off their jobs as part of planned industrial action at some football matches, police officers also stopped issuing fines for minor violations. New work measures were due to follow next week, but have now been suspended. The union members still have to approve the agreement.

Justice Minister David van Weel is satisfied with the agreement. He said he was “grateful to the police unions, the police and the employees of the Ministry of Justice and Security for their efforts to achieve this great result”.

The police unions were pleased with the deal. “Yesterday we took another important step,” responded NPB union leader Nine Kooiman on behalf of the police unions. “I am extremely proud of all the police officers who fought hard for our early retirement,” said Kooiman.

“It is thanks to you that we are now taking this step. We can now confidently take the next steps towards a structural regulation.”

According to the police unions, “the first goal has been achieved” and “the point on the horizon is that in the end every police officer can achieve sustainable retirement.”

Police chief Janny Knol also reacted happily to the agreement. “I am pleased about this bridging agreement. It is important that national agreements follow quickly,” she said in a statement on X. Knol reached an agreement on early retirement with the police unions and Van Weel on Wednesday evening.