An important round of negotiations is scheduled for Monday, March 4, 2024. During the last session we received a disappointing salary proposal from your employer. We have made it clear that it is crucial that we come to this next negotiation with an improved proposal. We deliberately started with the subject of wages, to avoid spending all the negotiating days on other matters and ultimately getting stuck on this essential point. Our members have repeatedly emphasized that the issue of wages is priority number one. That is why we are committed to clarity about the actual wage margin. It is very important that we stand strong together and are well informed. Read on below to find out how we can ensure this.
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Our wage demand did not come out of the blue
As we have already announced, our wage demand is 10%. This wage question did not come out of the blue. We have made a calculation of inflation over recent years and compared this to ABN AMRO's wage increases. With a wage increase of 10% we will ensure a small improvement in purchasing power, which in our opinion is a reasonable proposal. We would not ask this if we thought it would be irresponsible in view of the bank's financial situation. We don't have to be afraid of that. The CEO, Robert Swak, has stated that it is not without reason that the government has reduced the state interest to below 50%. He calls ABN AMRO a stable and solid bank. The results shared on February 14 were also correct. The highest profit in years has been achieved. Additional payments are made to the shareholders because, according to Robert Swak, the bank is strong enough. That is very good news! Now the employees!
What exactly does the 5% offer mean?
As we explained in our previous newsletter, the 5% offer is not really a 5% offer. This includes an end-of-year bonus. The bank also wants to link the increase fully to individual performance. When the media or other communications discuss percentage increases in collective labor agreements, individual wage increases or end-of-year bonuses are never included. These are agreements that are made independently of the stated percentage.
What do the financial agreements of comparable companies look like over the past year?
| Firm / company | Duration | Collective structural wage increase |
| Rabobank | 1 years | 9,75% |
| ASR | 18 months | 7% |
| Achmea | 21 months | Between 10% and 11% |
| ING | 2 years | Between 4% and 14% |
These increases only concern collective structural wage increases. These are separate from the performance rewards and thirteenth month that these companies already have. These increases are also separate from the one-off reimbursements that have been agreed. In addition, other agreements have been made in these collective labor agreements with a significant financial burden. This includes increasing the minimum and maximum salary scales to give people at the end of their scale perspective, improvements in performance remuneration, increasing free choice budgets, increasing leave days, increasing travel expenses. And we can go on like this for a while!
How are we going to make good agreements at ABN Amro?
These agreements did not come about automatically. These are all companies where the support base was already large and where it has grown enormously. The employees have made themselves heard through a high response rate in surveys with clear positions, with reactions to the content of the negotiations, by signing petitions, adding comments in white papers and sometimes even attending actions.
We are often reminded of the good agreements being made at other companies and a lot is expected of us at this table. But we don't do that alone, we do it together. We do our best to provide you with as much information as possible and to convey your story well during the negotiations. We need as much information and input as possible from you!
What now?
We will discuss this again on Monday, March 4. We hope and expect a better wage offer, which lays a foundation for good discussions. We will keep you informed during the process and ask you to respond as much as possible when we ask questions on the various topics. Keep your colleagues connected!
Influence
Please forward this message to your colleagues. We believe it is important that as many ABN AMRO employees as possible are aware of the collective labor agreement negotiations. That is also in your interest. Together with all colleagues, we must inspire the bank to appreciate your efforts. Are you not yet a member or are you a light member? Then you may be eligible to become a Complee member for free De Unie to become. Do this quickly and you will soon be able to vote too!
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Always be the first to know! Register immediately for our WhatsApp group “De Unie for ABN AMRO”, we will also keep you directly informed of the latest news in this way. Registering is very easy.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding this message, you can contact one of our advocates at Harma.pethke@unie.nl of mandy.raijmakers@unie.nl.
