No demonstration on Dam Square, but letter-writing action in Delft

Due to Tuesday’s nationwide train strike, the planned protest against education budget cuts will not go ahead. Trade unions and activists had intended to voice their opposition to the government’s planned cuts to higher education and research at a demonstration on Dam Square in Amsterdam.

Solidarity

“We fully support the right to strike and want to express our solidarity with the railway workers,” said a joint statement from trade unions FNV, AOb, and LSVb, along with action groups 0.7 and WOinActie.

University and university of applied sciences staff are still allowed to strike on Tuesday. The unions are not withdrawing their call for industrial action, meaning that lecturers, researchers, other staff, and students still have the right to stop working or studying, even though the national protest is no longer taking place. A new action is being planned: “After the summer, closer to the elections.”

Letter-Writing Action in Delft

Despite the cancellation of the national demonstration, the Delft student union VSSD is not giving up. At noon, the group is organising a letter-writing action in the Aula canteen. Students and staff are invited to write a letter to the Ministry of Education or another political body to express their concerns about the planned cuts to higher education. (HOP, BB / Delta, MvdV)