Unions and ProRail reach negotiating results for a new collective labor agreement.
Representatives of FNV Spoor, CNV, VHS Railprofessionals and ProRail have achieved an important negotiation result for ProRail's new collective labor agreement. This outcome will be presented to the members of the trade unions after the summer holiday period. If the members agree to this result, the new collective labor agreement will take effect retroactively on July 1, 2024. The unions and ProRail have agreed to inform their supporters today, Thursday, July 4.
puzzle
The negotiation result was not easy to achieve and required a lot of effort from all parties involved. It was clear from the start that creative puzzling would have to be done to reach an agreement. The conversations were constructive and a lot of information was exchanged. Agreements have been made on various substantive topics, including sustainability, scheduling, inclusive employment conditions, career development and sustainable employability.
One of the biggest challenges during the negotiations was the issue of wages. There was a significant difference between the demands of the unions and ProRail's opening offer. ProRail has the responsibility to keep rail affordable for the Netherlands, which entails limited financial space. This meant that compromises had to be made. Ultimately, both the unions and ProRail managed to move towards each other. ProRail indicates that they have reached the maximum limit of their financial scope.
ProRail views the negotiation result as a joint bridging of mutual differences. The result provides guidance, takes inflation into account and responds to ProRail's social role.

The key points of the negotiation result include a term of 12 months, from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025, and a structural wage increase of 1 percent as of July 2024, 4,2, with a minimum increase of 260 euros gross per month for full-time employment. . On average, wages increase by 5 percent. The compensation related to collective labor agreements will be increased by 1 percent as of July 2024, 4,2.
DUO
The allowances for working irregular hours will be increased by 5 percent and the student debt with DUO can be repaid from the IKB balance, with a maximum amount of 1.500 euros. The ability to exchange up to two Christian holidays for other religious or cultural holidays of your choice.
Schedule changes to a basic schedule on rest days or days not to be worked before the 28-day schedule is issued always take place in consultation. A pilot will also be started at a number of locations to see whether all changes to the basic schedule can be made in consultation.
consultation
Over the past two months, the unions and ProRail have consulted intensively and explored many options. We listened carefully to each other and spoke from mutual trust. Given the different wishes, interests and the limited financial space, choices had to be made. No one has received the full price, but there is now a realistic and feasible negotiation result. This result includes a large number of improvements and purchasing power correction, while rail remains affordable.
The unions can now submit these agreements to their members. The agreements made are comparable to other recently concluded collective labor agreements, which indicates that a solid foundation has been laid for the future of ProRail and its employees. It will become clear in the near future whether the union members agree with the result, which will ultimately lead to the definitive introduction of the new collective labor agreement.