Yesterday, 18:44 • 3 minutes reading time
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Trade unions FNV and CNV continue to prepare a strike in academic hospitals, including the UMCG. The members of both unions have rejected the final offer of the Dutch Federation of University Medical Centers (NFU) for a new collective labor agreement.
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FNV Zorg en Welzijn has this offer at the beginning of this month with a negative advice presented to its members. CNV did so neutrally, but both unions showed great enthusiasm for a strike on Tuesday 28 September. ‘The members are positive about it’, says Henk van Engelens on behalf of FNV.
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NU’91 does conclude an agreement
The preparation of the strike continues without NU’91. The professional organization for nurses, carers and related professions did sign the new collective labor agreement on Thursday. Chairman Stella Salden calls this ‘an important first step in eliminating salary arrears and structurally better appreciation and remuneration for nurses and carers.’
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According to Salden, the NFU recognizes the ‘responsibilities, weight and risks of the profession’ with the collective labor agreement. According to her, it is also a first step towards an own terms of employment scheme for nurses and carers. ‘Something that NU’91 has been fighting for for thirty years.’
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‘Money goes to equipment on ICs’
The withdrawal of NU’91 does not affect the preparations for the strike day, says Van Engelen (FNV).
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‘I was surprised that those members voted in favour, but so be it. It’s a very select group. Not only nurses and carers work within the UMCs. We want a good collective labor agreement for all employees in the country. The money is there, because academic hospitals are number one in healthcare when it comes to solvency. The money only goes to things like equipment on the ICs.’
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‘Agreement creates contradiction in the workplace’
To express their dissatisfaction, the other parties at the table have letter sent to the NFU. They believe that the collective labor agreement ‘applies a divide and rule strategy and plays unions and professional groups against each other’.
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‘In this collective labor agreement, less than 10,000 of the 79,000 employees of academic hospitals receive a small salary increase, which is also below inflation adjustment. It creates contradictions in the workplace, while healthcare workers should stand shoulder to shoulder in these busy times of the corona pandemic and catch-up care.’
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The unions were supported by the House of Representatives on Thursday. He approved a motion to release 600 million euros extra for salaries for healthcare staff.
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Monday consultation about Groningen strike day
The unions have planned a ‘security meeting’ in Groningen for Monday. Then they speak with the management, the personnel department and the heads of the various departments that participate in the strike. The staff will work Sunday shifts on the Tuesday of the strike, while emergency care will continue.
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