FNV union demands 5.5% pay rises to tackle high inflation

Trade unions are demanding pay rises of up 5.5% in next year’s pay round to offset the impact of high inflation.

The FNV, the Netherlands’ largest labour union, published its demands on Monday as part of the regular build-up to the opening of parliament and Budget Day this week.

The FNV says it will press for a 5.5% increase in basic pay during collective bargaining negotiations and a flat payment of €80 a month for all workers to give an extra boost to low earners.

Inflation is currently 3.3%, having risen in August, according to the government statistics agency CBS.

“We see that inflation is rising and is still well above the average while productivity is rising, companies are making big profits and the labour market remains tight,” Jacqie van Stigt, the union’s interim collective bargaining co-ordinator said.

The CNV, another of the major unions, said last week it would be seeking pay rises of between 3% and 5.5% next year as well as an increase in the travel allowance to 25 cents per kilometre, after the government raised the maximum tax-free amount from July 1.

AI concerns

The FNV also said it wanted to draw up stricter rules to ensure employees were consulted on the use of AI in the workplace.

The union is concerned that using machine-generated text is leading to more pressure on workers and giving companies an excuse to cut jobs.

The FNV also announced that cleaning staff have begun a week-long strike to protest against the pay deal struck between employers and the CNV union, which 80% of FNV members have rejected.

Staff at Schiphol airport and railway stations will take part in the strike. The union wants the employers to go back to the table and discuss their demands, which include not cutting pay for sick employees and paying hotel cleaners equal rates.

“We will continue until the pay negotiations are reopened and our cleaners are actually listened to,” said union spokeswoman Carolien Lambers.