NOS News•
A collective agreement has been reached for the more than 200,000 healthcare workers in hospitals and rehabilitation centres. The unions and the Dutch Association of Hospitals (NVZ) agree in principle on wage increases and ways to reduce the workload. An announced strike by healthcare workers in April has therefore been cancelled.
Over the next two years, a large part of the healthcare staff will receive a total salary increase of 15 percent. This will be done in steps: with retroactive effect, the salary will increase by 5 percent on 1 February and by another 5 percent on 1 December. As of 1 June 2024, employees with the lowest wages will again benefit by 5 percent, employees in the higher scales will then receive 2 percent and 180 euros. The travel allowance will increase from 8 to 16 cents per kilometre.
If the development of purchasing power in 2024 is very disappointing, the trade unions and employers will consult each other again.
Better position of permanent employees
In addition, many agreements have been made in the new collective labor agreement about tackling the high workload and improving the position of permanent employees. The compensation for standby shifts will increase, and employees who work such a shift can choose whether they want to be paid in money or time off. Employees are given more control over their roster and holidays. Permanent employees are also given first choice in terms of shifts and rosters.
“The workload and constantly changing schedules are the main reasons why employees leave the hospitals. That is why we have put a lot of effort into this. With these agreements we are really taking steps in this direction,” says CNV negotiator Joost Veldt.
‘Don’t wait for new actions’
Hospital employees already ran a Sunday shift on a Thursday in protest this month. This meant that only emergency care was provided. Another such promotion was announced for next month.
“We have taken our responsibility,” says NVZ spokesman Wouter van der Horst. “We could not wait for new actions that would harm the patient. That is not wise for anyone, not even for the employees to whom we really grant this structural pay rise.”
The NVZ says it remains concerned, because of the costs of the “expensive” collective labor agreement. “We still think that the government and health insurers should take responsibility with us to fund this.”
Trade union members and members of the NVZ still have to vote on the agreement in principle.
