Workers at Heineken breweries have begun a three-day strike in a dispute over pay and conditions, union CNV has said.

Negotiations for a new agreement for 1,200 workers at the breweries in Zoetermeer and Den Bosch were broken off in October because of the brewer’s “rigid and passive” attitude, the union claimed.

“Heineken knows full well what is needed to come to a proper agreement. We are now taking more decisive action,” CNV negotiator Mirjam van Leussen said.

An ultimatum from unions CNV and FNV in November, which followed a demand for a pay rise of 5% and better working and internship conditions, was ignored by Heineken, resulting in a 24-hour strike on November 20, followed by a 48-hour strike last week.

According to the unions, Heineken is “sabotaging workers’ willingness to strike” by organising information sessions and visiting strike locations.

“They are trying to divide the workers but they won’t succeed. The strike will continue until there is a new agreement,” Van Leussen said.