The round of negotiations in Austerlitz for a Collective Labor Agreement for Healthcare Transport & Taxi was not received with much applause by the trade union FNV. Normally they are in a meeting room, but last Friday participating parties were in the gym of the village hall. FNV jokes that this was literally to prepare to stretch and stretch, or bend, to eventually move towards each other.

Employers had previously asked to reconsider the proposals and come up with a more streamlined version. It may be clear that the union wants to go for better working conditions, but they also want a collective labor agreement. That is why they have made adjustments to some parts.

flexibility

It must be clear to FNV that real wages must be added and flexibility must be rewarded. Employers were not amused and they remained so. They have proposed to jointly (employers and employees) conduct a study into what the union proposals would mean in terms of money. Because according to the employers, they demand more than 40% more wages. FNV has indicated that employers should primarily have this research done, but not jointly. FNV wants its own research, namely into what a living wage is for a driver.

haggling

Lots of haggling, angry employers, angry negotiators and, to stay in gym terms, don't bend, don't stretch, don't stretch. For the time being, the union has received a no from the employers on 27 of the 28 points to improve the collective labor agreement. And see no bow or concession. After much debate, the employers said they would consider doing their own research after all. They will come back to this after the summer recess. 

It is clear that it is still not summer and they have to continue working together for better working conditions!