Unions advise members to vote against Philips' final offer

The unions CNV and FNV each urge their members to vote against Philips' final offer for a new collective labour agreement (cao). Members can vote from 3 to 10 November 2026. Those who vote against will be asked whether they are willing to take action.

Why it matters

• Philips employees who are union members can vote from 3 to 10 November 2026.
• If members reject the offer, the unions will decide with them on next steps and possible action.
• Only union members can vote.

The unions say the offer goes beyond a pay rise. In their view it curbs existing agreements on salary growth and income security.

They name four problems. The across-the-board pay rise does not fully compensate for inflation. Salary scales are barely indexed, so employees reach the top of their scale sooner and have less room to grow. The variable bonus (STI) is not guaranteed, because it depends on company results and individual assessments. And the early-retirement scheme RVU would be open to a very limited group.

On the RVU, the unions say Philips sees no jobs in the company that count as heavy work and therefore regards the scheme mainly as a goodwill arrangement.

The unions say Philips has indicated the offer is part of a broader shift in which more of pay becomes variable and less is fixed. They say they are worried about that. "In a period of economic and geopolitical uncertainty, a fixed salary gives employees security and predictability," they say, and they consider it unwise to trade existing security for a larger variable share.

The unions explained the offer at employee meetings on 27 and 28 October and 2 and 3 November 2026.