Public transport pay talks resume, actions not ruled out
The union CNV says talks on a new public transport pay deal will continue tomorrow, and that it may still take action if they deliver too little for staff.
The union CNV says negotiations on a new public transport collective labour agreement (cao) will continue the next day. The venue was available only until 17.30, and the negotiators talked until the last moment.
The unions are sticking to their demands: no downgrades, measures against work pressure and a decent pay rise. CNV says any agreement must make clear what it means for staff's daily work and working conditions.
CNV says it sees room to move closer together, but some issues still need solving. "We cannot yet say whether we will reach a deal. That is why actions are not off the table," it says. If the talks deliver too little, it may still have to take action.
After the extra day of talks, CNV will report what was achieved and which points remain open. Any draft agreement will be put to members.
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CNV (Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond)
The Christian National Trade Union Federation is one of the main trade union confederations in the Netherlands. It negotiates pay and working conditions with employers on behalf of its member unions and their members, including in public transport. Its role in sector negotiations is why it is named in pay talks like these.
cao (collectieve arbeidsovereenkomst)
A cao, or collective labour agreement, is a written agreement between employers and trade unions that sets out pay, working hours, holiday entitlement and other employment terms for a whole sector or group of companies. Once agreed, it applies to the employees covered by it, and the negotiations for a new one are typically carried out by unions and employer organisations. Public transport workers, for example, have their pay and conditions set in a sector-wide cao.