Even earlier than expected, the negotiators came out on Monday: care unions and the Dutch Association of Hospitals have a new negotiation result for the new Cao Hospitals. The agreement that has now been concluded, which still has to be presented to the members, offers more wage increases, more control over the duty roster and an improved travel allowance.
Under this agreement, interns will receive an allowance of 150 euros instead of the current 100 euros per month. Earlier this month they were campaigning for a compensation of 400 euros. And residents may no longer be scheduled for 38+10 hours per week on a structural basis.
Consultations on a new Cao Hospitals came to a standstill at the end of January, because NVZ’s final offer was rejected by the unions LAD/FBZ, FNV, CNV and NU’91. Actions followed on Thursday, March 16, a Sunday service was held, announcing another day of action in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Last Friday, the final offer was dropped and a new invitation to discuss the new collective labor agreement was issued
The unions and employers have agreed on a collective labor agreement, which will take effect on 1 February 2023, with a term of two years. This includes a 15 percent salary increase in steps; 5 percent retroactively from February 1, an additional 5 percent as of December 1, and another 5 percent as of June 1, 2024. Should the percentage of purchasing power deviate ‘significantly’ in 2024, the parties will discuss this again.
Right to inaccessibility In order to reduce the workload and to give staff more control over their services, it has been agreed to plan schedules three months in advance, among other things. This will take effect in July. In addition, they have the right to be ‘unreachable’ at times when they are not scheduled. It is also remarkable that people with a permanent contract are given ‘first choice’ when filling in a roster, above self-employed persons without employees. With regard to the travel allowance; this will be increased to 16 cents per kilometer (that was 8 cents). Better agreements have also been made with regard to, among other things, pregnancy and on-call services.
The National Association of Doctors in Employment (LAD) and the trade union for healthcare professionals FBZ think that the result is the ‘maximum achievable’ given the circumstances. Ad Melkert, chairman of the NVZ, said this morning in a reaction to Radio1journaal that the proposed salary increase of 15 percent is a sign of appreciation, partly to keep the profession attractive. He added that he has a ‘headache’ related to the bill that employers have to pay: ‘We need support’. To this end, the NVZ will enter into discussions with insurers and the minister. The earlier, rejected offer of 13 percent ‘already went far beyond the limits of our financial possibilities’, Melkert emphasized. A number of institutions “are already over the edge, with red numbers,” he warned. ‘We can’t keep that up for long, everyone understands that.’
See here the negotiation result, which is now being presented to the members. The previously announced actions are off the track.
