On 30 June 2021, the current cleaning collective labour agreement expires. This means the collective labour agreement negotiation ball is open. The first dance is for CNV Vakmensen, who, via digital means, questioned their members about their wishes for the new collective labour agreement. As a shot across the bow, the union has laid down a solid package of demands. The ball is open!
By Henk Cornelisse, Clean Totaal editorial board member
Digital campaign
Consulting the grassroots is more difficult for the unions in this era of coronavirus. In the ‘old normal’, CNV Vakmensen would first send a comprehensive collective labour agreement newspaper to its members. It would then physically visit its members to gather their wishes regarding the new collective labour agreement.
CNV director Jan Kampherbeek announced that this year's member consultation will have to be different due to coronavirus: “It’s not possible to simply visit members at their workplaces. We have therefore created a digital campaign. Our newsletter has been designed in a format that is easy to read on a mobile phone and can be sent via WhatsApp.” In addition, CNV Vakmensen has set up a Facebook page: CNV CAO Cleaning | Facebook
Vlogs will be regularly posted on the Facebook page, and information will be shared. This will be from both the CNV Vakmensen board and from (framework) members. Kampherbeek: “I don’t know exactly how it will all work out yet. It’s a bit new for us too. Final proposals for the new collective labour agreement will be produced between mid-February and the end of February.”
Solid package
CNV Vakmensen recently sent a list of collective labour agreement wishes to its members:
- With a term of 1 year (01 July 2021-30 June 2022);
- 4% loonsverhoging per 1 juli 2021;
- Adjusting the early retirement experiment (RVU scheme): everyone under this scheme must be able to stop working 2 years before the state pension age.;
- When taking long-term care leave (informal care): 70%% of pay to be continued;
- Minimum payment of 1 hour per item/per day (even if less time is worked);
- Travel time: total maximum half of working time/travel time for drivers is working time;
- Weekend supplements for hotel cleaners to increase.;
- Reimbursement of €5 per week for cleaners who do laundry at their clients' homes.;
- Training budget for training outside cleaning;
- Every new manager must complete the management training course.;
- Refresher course in basic vocational training every 5 years.
Clean Totaal concludes that it is a substantial package of wishes. But then again, not every wish is typically granted. Not even in a period where cleaners are elevated to the heroes of society.
Call to members
The members of CNV Vakmensen have been asked to make their additional wishes known to Jan Kampherbeek.
Not on the dance floor yet
FNV Schoonmaak has not yet been spotted on the dance floor. Renate Bos, FNV Schoonmaak director, has let us know she is willing to let us look in her little black book sometime in February.
Cleaning Netherlands is likely to purchase her dance shoes. Members have been asked for input. This employers' organisation itself is not yet responding.
Employers' organisation SieV was, much to her annoyance, not asked to dance.