We look back on the third round of negotiations for the new Metalektro collective labor agreement with disappointment. During the third round we only discussed the topics of sustainable employability, the DI day and the heavy work arrangement (RVU). So we have not yet received any wage offers from the employers.
Time is running out
After this third round of negotiations, there is only one more round on the agenda. So time is running out to reach a collective labor agreement. More than 170.000 employees are waiting for a new decent collective labor agreement and employers are not taking action.
Tue day
Employers want to take full control over this sustainable employability day. So they want to decide what is important to you as an employee when it comes to education or health. We believe that employees can very well decide for themselves what they consider important when it comes to sustainable employability or health.
Sustainable employability
A small bright spot of the day is that we agree to continue the 'Financially fit' and '5x better' projects. These are existing projects from the previous agreement. The '5x better' project has been completed. For the rest of what is offered, it is 3 times nothing.
RVU
The downer of the day is that FME does not want to go to The Hague together to maintain the heavy work arrangement. They therefore do not want to improve the heavy work arrangement or work hard to maintain it. They do indicate that we must do everything we can to reach the finish line in good health, but to make arrangements for the vulnerable, no matter what. Employers therefore expect you to continue working until you drop out or worse: collapse.
Closing comments
A wonderful report was recently released about the Metal and Electrical sector, in which we (trade unions and employers) want to lobby together to maintain this strong industry. Given the FME's attitude at the table, this is miles away from what the parties intend. All hope is for the 4th round on April 22, where almost all points still have to be discussed. We will keep you informed!
Contact
If you have a question or comment, you can email: metal@unie.nl. If you would like to speak to one of the negotiators, you can call Wicher van der Hoef on 06-5252 2023 or Gertjan Tommel on 06-5252 2034.
