The FNV trade union has agreed to talks on Friday to try and settle the cleaners strike which has left NS passengers with dirty trains and stations.

Train cleaners have been on strike since last Tuesday in protest at the breakdown of negotiations for a new pay and conditions agreement. In particular, the union is demanding that cleaners do not lose two days pay for the first two days they are off sick.

However, they were at work on Sunday and Monday – Remembrance Day and Liberation Day – out of respect for war victims.

The agreement to talks came after employers’ organisation OSB agreed to bring in an independent mediator.

‘We see this as a good first step,’ the FNV told the Telegraaf.

The move follows a letter from the NS to the FNV trade union and the OSB urging them to get around the negotiating table. ‘Train users are always the dupe,’ the spokesman told Nos. ‘And if things get out of hand, we are forced to intervene.’

Last Friday, intervention came in the form of NS office staff armed with rubbish bags cleaning up some of the trains.