The FNV and other local government unions are considering strike action in order to put pressure on the VNG employers' organisation which failed to respond to the unions' 1 May deadline for a better collective bargaining offer. The unions are angry that the latest pay offer was, in fact, worse than a previous offer and that the VNG is still not proposing an increase that will ensure wages rise above the current 3% inflation level. The employers have also failed to budge on negotiating a health and wellness policy that would particularly benefit older workers.
Municipal unions consider action as employers miss deadline
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Unions set deadline for municipal employers
Trade unions in local government have given the VNG employers' organisation until 10am on 1 May to respond to their main demands or face action across the sector which employers 160000 workers. After six rounds of bargaining, trade unions broke off negotiations as the VNG failed to come up with any offer close to the unions' demands which include a real pay increase and measures to address workers' health and wellbeing, especially older workers.
Union sets deadline for local government employers
The FNV Abvakabo trade union has called on local government employers to respond to its claims by 13th February. The union wants a job security agreement, a pay increase to protect purchasing power and more investment in permanent staff rather than temporary workers. It has rejected an offer from the employers that would mean a pay increase of only 1% over 31 months. Abvakabo argues that initiatives to retrain workers and find them alternative jobs will end up saving the authorities millions in the cost of unemployment benefit. CNV Publieke Zaak has also rejected the employers’ offer and is
Provincial government employers given deadline to negotiate
The FNV Abvakabo and CNV Publieke Zaak public service unions have given provincial government employers until 2 March to make a better offer or they will consult with their members and consider industrial action. After lengthy negotiations the employers have offered a basic pay increase of only 0.69% over 19 months and nothing in respect of the unions’ calls for employment guarantees, disability benefit and a cut in the use of contract staff. The unions want a 1.5% pay increase over 12 months and are also calling on the employers to implement unfulfilled commitments included in the last