De Unie negotiated the Sweco Collective Labor Agreement with the other trade unions. Unfortunately, we did not come out together. That is why we hold information sessions February 21 at 16.00 p.m and on February 22 at 12.00 p.m.
In this post we list the arguments, so that you can determine your vote. And we explain that your vote can be decisive. Especially if you talk to your colleagues about this and share this newsletter with them. Then they can also use the information from the trade unions, the Works Council and the management to determine how they vote. A 2/3 majority is required to accept a collective labor agreement result.
Matrix and collective wage increase
What really muddles things is the matrix. The matrix shows how much individual increase you will receive based on your assessment. That matrix is currently not included in the collective labor agreement. The matrix was included in the collective bargaining results of recent years.
The management has indicated that it will reduce the matrix in order to pay for the collective wage increase of 6,3%. And very likely they're going to cut the matrix in half.
We have indicated that a matrix does not cost the employer any extra money. Each year, employees rise in scale. Employees are leaving, new (usually cheaper employees) are coming in. So if the population remains the same, the employer's wage bill will not increase.
If you cut the matrix in half now, this will mean less individual growth for a group of employees, especially in 2023 (and a few years after). They will catch up later, but that will take a (few) years. That is why unions are against changing the matrix.
Compared to last time, the 'improved' offer that is now on the table is mainly financed by the cutbacks in individual growth. We don't think that's okay.
Mandate to trade unions
In October in the “round of the country” you considered inflation correction to be the most important topic. On January 23, you and more than 350 employees told us: at least a 7% collective increase. More than 1000 employees said this to the Works Council at about the same time. On February 13 and 14, you repeated that message.
You gave the following arguments:
- Sweco increases rates by 6%; in practice this appears to be mainly a guideline, not every customer pays for this.
- Sweco generates sufficient returns to pay the shareholders, so why not the employees?
- The other engineering firms also give a structural wage increase of at least 7%. Based on a benchmark, wages at Sweco have been increased in recent years because wages at Sweco were lower than at the competition. Why would we want to lag behind the rest?
- If competition can raise wages by 7%, why can't Sweco?
On February 13 and 14 you unanimously said to us: that matrix must remain unchanged. The management is not allowed to take back with one hand what the other hand gave, and that after the collective bargaining.
Offer from unions versus management
- At the end of the collective labor agreement, your wages will be 7,3% higher than now in the proposal of the unions, while the management offers no more than 6,3%.
- Offer unions is: as of 1 March €100,00 structural and 2%, as of 1 September 3%.
- Trade unions want to keep the matrix, the management wants to be able to halve it.
- We agree on all other points.
Power of your voice
The collective labor agreement contains a protocol for acceptance of the collective labor agreement. It says:
- There must be a turnout of 2/3 of all employees
- Of these, 2/3 must agree
- And at the unions, 51% must agree per union
That is why it is important that as many employees as possible vote. Talk to each other about this. If you agree with the management, you vote in favour. If you agree with your union, vote against. If 1/3 of the employees vote against, the management will have to sit down with us again. So your vote has a lot of influence through the power of numbers.
You can simply cast your vote via the link that the works council sends you. You indicate whether you are a member of a trade union. This way your vote counts twice.
Information meetings
The members have received an invitation to participate in the meeting.
Tuesday, February 21, 16:00 PM – 17:00 PM
Wednesday, February 22, 12:00 PM – 13:00 PM
We hope to see you and your colleagues at our information meetings.
Contact
If you have any questions or comments, you can contact the representative Mandy Raaijmakers by e-mail at: mandy.raijmakers@unie.nl and by telephone on 06-5252 2049. If you have an individual question or need advice, please contact our Service Center via sc@unie.nl or by phone on 0345-851 963. We are happy to advise you!
