Tensions are rising between the FNV and TUI Fly Curaçao.
The union has announced that there may be action if the airline continues to refuse to enter into collective bargaining. According to FNV director Stijn Jansen, the patience of the staff has run out, and it is time for TUI Fly Curaçao to take the same responsibility as the Dutch branch of the company.
More than half of the staff in Curaçao are members of the FNV and have indicated several times that they want to be represented by the union. Despite this clear wish, TUI Fly Curaçao keeps the door to collective labor agreement negotiations closed. “It cannot be that TUI Fly Curaçao continues to ignore its own employees,” says Jansen. “They too are entitled to a collective labor agreement, just like their colleagues in the Netherlands. It is time for TUI Fly to take responsibility.”
According to the FNV, the situation has been problematic for years. The lack of a collective labor agreement creates uncertainty among employees, who therefore have fewer rights and guarantees than colleagues at other locations. This difference is considered unacceptable by the union. Niels Kater, spokesperson for FNV, emphasizes that the union is issuing a warning: "With this yellow card we want to make it clear that it is time for change. Actions will become a serious option if TUI does not listen."
possible actions
Although concrete details about possible actions are still lacking, Jansen does not rule out that tough measures will be taken if TUI Fly Curaçao does not change its mind. “We have given TUI Fly more than enough chances to come to the table. If there is no movement now, we will unfortunately have to consider other steps. That does indeed mean actions,” he says.
The nature of these actions is still unclear to the FNV. It could involve punctuality actions, in which the staff strictly follows the rules, but a strike is also a possibility. Jansen: “We want to warn TUI, because if nothing is done now, we will be forced to scale up. It is up to TUI to prevent a red card.”
FNV director Stijn Jansen expresses his displeasure: 'It cannot be that TUI fly Curaçao continues to ignore its own employees. They too are entitled to a collective labor agreement, just like their colleagues in the Netherlands. It is time for TUI fly to take responsibility.'
A major point of criticism is the difference in employment conditions between staff in Curaçao and the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, TUI employees have a collective labor agreement that, among other things, determines their wages, working hours and working conditions. In Curaçao, such a regulation is lacking, which, according to the FNV, leads to inequality and uncertainty.
This difference in treatment has long been a source of frustration among staff in Curaçao. Employees feel abandoned by the parent company, which they say has no regard for the local situation. “This is not a sustainable situation,” says an anonymous employee. “We work just as hard as our colleagues in the Netherlands, but have much less security.”
time is running out
The FNV's call to enter into discussions with TUI Fly Curaçao is not new. The union has made several attempts to initiate a dialogue in recent years, but without success. With the threat of actions, the situation now seems to be reaching a head. "We do not want a conflict, but if there is no other way out, we must stand up for our members," Jansen emphasizes.
For TUI Fly Curaçao, the pressure is high to still enter into talks. If the airline sticks to its current course, this could not only lead to actions, but also to damage to its reputation. It is now up to the company to take the FNV's offer seriously and enter into dialogue.
