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Heineken collective labor agreement negotiations suspended

November 15 2021

CLA negotiations suspended.

In recent weeks, there have been 3 sessions in which the unions explained the collective labor agreement proposals. In the last session on November 8, Heineken presented more concrete negotiation proposals. You can use these Heineken proposals here see. In particular, the proposals for the correction of the backlog of the HG salaries compared to the HNS/HNL and the collective salary increase are in favor of De Unie and the MHP Heineken, but also unacceptable for the other unions involved. Negotiations have been suspended pending an amended/improved proposal from Heineken.

Difference in salary scales HG and HNL/HNS

In the past 2 years, HG employees have received a significantly lower remuneration than employees at HNL/HNS. The 20/21 collective labor agreements for HNL and HNS had already been concluded just before corona time with collective increases of 2 x 3,75%. The collective labor agreements for HG are not yet and this resulted in 1 x 1.5% collective increase for 2020 and 2 days off + €250 net one-off in 2021. All this results in a difference of 6% in salary increase and in the salary tables! In addition, the assessment increases are not paid out in HG, but they are in HNL/HNS. For employees within HG who have not yet reached the end of their salary scale, the latter means that the difference can be substantially more than 6%.

The MHP Heineken and De Unie expect at least extra compensation for HG employees to make up the salary difference incrementally. Heineken's proposal to only on paper aligning the salary tables in 2 years is not enough for us.

Collective raise

Collectively, Heineken is proposing a moderate salary increase of 1 – 1.5% due to the difficult time in which Heineken operates, which means that costs must be kept in mind.
The MHP Heineken and De Unie strive for a collective wage increase in line with the market and are of the opinion that appraisal increase should not be seen as part of collective wage increase.

Increase starting salaries

Heineken's proposal is to bring the starting salaries for all job groups to 70% RSP.
The MHP Heineken and De Unie want more clarity about what this means for current employees, the wage margin and request confirmation for existing agreements, such as at Heineken Group, where the starting salaries for FG 1-7 are already 80% RSP.

RVU (early retirement scheme)

Heineken proposes to introduce this new statutory regulation only for employees who work in shifts for at least 10 years. Heineken sees shift work as a tough profession. It is believed that Heineken already has sufficient arrangements for early retirement.
The MHP Heineken and De Unie argue that, in addition to shifts, there are several difficult professions; in addition to physically demanding professions. We therefore argue for implementation at all levels and also ask for more clarity about what the current schemes mean for income and pension.

Working from home

Heineken's proposal is a one-off payment of €500 for setting up a good workplace and a home working allowance of €2 per day, commencing no later than 1/1/22.

The MHP Heineken and De Unie consider this proposal very economical compared to other companies (eg central government) and would like to see the home working allowance introduced retroactively - from the moment that travel allowance has stopped.

Other subjects

In addition to the above topics, there are also various other topics on the table, including adjustment of notice periods, addition to 5 weeks of birth leave, public holiday of your choice, for which Heineken has also made proposals. All proposals can be found in the previously sent MHP/Union proposal letter and are largely based on the DigiC survey conducted earlier in the organization. To be sure you can here view our collective labor agreement proposal letter again.

How further

The upcoming collective labor agreement negotiations have been put on hold.

The MHP Heineken and De Unie hope that, after a modified response from Heineken, constructive consultation can be continued in which we can find the right balance between the social conditions for the employees and the interests of the employer.

Information session

Soon we will organize a digital information session. During this session we will provide further explanation and we would like to discuss the above with the employees.

Our members receive an invitation for this.

Of course we would like to point out that it is important to point out the benefits of membership to your disorganized colleague. Please refer them to Become a member - De Unie

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