Netherlands
Negotiations between the local government employers and the three trade unions (ABVAKABO, CNV Publieke Zaak and CMHF) will resume later this month following a failure to agree over three key points. The two sides had resolved a number of issues including an agreed 6.4% pay increase over two years. However, the unions are reluctant to move on working hours while the employers are refusing to agree union demands on incapacitated workers and compensation for higher taxes for workers. Employers want to relax the current rules that regulate when local government workers increase their working week from 36 to 40 hours. The unions say they might agree to this if the employers ensure that this only a voluntary basis and if they concede the other two points. The unions have proposed a new insurance system to protect the income of workers who are assessed as between 35% and 80% incapacitated. The employers say they will back the proposal if the unions agree to greater flexibility in extending working hours and drop their demand for the tax compensation. The taxation issue affects firefighters and ambulance staff affected by new early retirement rules and the unions want the employers to compensate these workers from the impact of taxation rules that reduce their net pay. The unions are now consulting with their members in the lead up to the next negotiations.
Read more at >ABVAKABO (NL)
And at >CNV Publieke Zaak (NL)
