The Hague, Netherlands: Dutch police today called off their plans to disrupt the second stage of the Tour de France in the Netherlands on Sunday, but vowed to press ahead with a protest for better pay.
The announcement by the police unions came after the Dutch government dropped a request for an urgent interdict to bar disgruntled officers from demonstrating on Rotterdam's iconic Erasmus bridge, across which the riders will pass.
"Rotterdam has given us all the space to be present, visible and recognizable in the city to strengthen our legitimate demands," union negotiators Albert Springer and Gerrit van de Kamp said in a statement.
"The discussion between police unions and the Rotterdam city council has lead to the urgent interdict being dropped and the Tour de France will pass through undisturbed," they added.
The police, who are demanding better pay, had announced plans on Monday to carry out traffic checks on the advertising caravan that precedes the Tour's competitors - a move that would hold up the riders.
The unions today said they had abandoned the plan.
"There's no question of carrying out a traffic check on the advertising caravan. Even better, we'll escort it" through Rotterdam, they said.
Instead, they said, a union member will cycle ahead of the publicity caravan and "many" police vehicles will be parked on Erasmus bridge, but in a way that will not obstruct the race.
The police also plan a protest bike ride in the city of Utrecht shortly before the start of the tour in that city on July 4.
The officers want a pay raise of 3.3 percent, higher overtime pay and a cash bonus for undergoing a reorganization of the police force.
The announcement by the police unions came after the Dutch government dropped a request for an urgent interdict to bar disgruntled officers from demonstrating on Rotterdam's iconic Erasmus bridge, across which the riders will pass.
"Rotterdam has given us all the space to be present, visible and recognizable in the city to strengthen our legitimate demands," union negotiators Albert Springer and Gerrit van de Kamp said in a statement.
The police, who are demanding better pay, had announced plans on Monday to carry out traffic checks on the advertising caravan that precedes the Tour's competitors - a move that would hold up the riders.
Advertisement
"There's no question of carrying out a traffic check on the advertising caravan. Even better, we'll escort it" through Rotterdam, they said.
Advertisement
The police also plan a protest bike ride in the city of Utrecht shortly before the start of the tour in that city on July 4.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Pilot Dies After Plane Crashes During Aerobatic Show In France 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Netherlands Secure Olympic Hockey Double With Women's Gold "Trusted Mamata Banerjee But...": Father Of Murdered Doctor To NDTV "Like Indira Gandhi...": Student Arrested For 'Shoot Mamata Banerjee' Post Flower Seller Forced To Buy iPhone For Son On Hunger Strike, Internet Reacts US Man Recalls Moment Pilot Said He Didn't Have "Qualification" To Land Former Kolkata Hospital Principal At CBI Office For Day 4 Of Questioning Elite Jewish High School Graduates Shun Columbia Amid Protest Turmoil Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.