A total of three unions have joined forces for this strike. Jan Wit of FNV Metaal Noord-Holland. is very satisfied with the turnout. “I think we exceeded expectations because we expected a maximum of 200 people.”
According to Wit, the employees are mainly plumbers and electricians from small and large companies in North Holland. “These people did not go to work this morning because they want to achieve a good collective labor agreement,” he explains.
Disappointed and angry
Negotiations took place four times with the employers, but according to Wit this was ‘unfortunately without good results’. “That is why we have now taken action and we are very disappointed in the employers. Because they keep saying that they have a shortage of professionals and want to reward them, but people are angry and disappointed because the wage offer is too low. “
The work will be stopped for 24 hours as a protest action. The strikers are trying to hit their employees’ pockets with this. White: “Then no turnover can be made at the moment. Most people don’t like striking, because they are loyal to their company. But at some point you have to make a point. If you are negotiating and you cannot take action then negotiating becomes begging. And these people don’t want to beg, they want to be well rewarded.”
Insult to employers
According to striker and electrical engineering foreman Arjan Haasnoot, employers make a weak offer and delay negotiations and do not make counter-proposals. “The 10 percent requirement is really the minimum we have to achieve. Employers only offer 5 percent, so that is far too low.”
Haasnoot: “It is a big insult to employees. But in the meantime they are shouting things like: ‘ask everyone to come and work in the industry, we need you so badly’. But when it comes to money and employment conditions, employers do not give At home.”
Tags: Metal industry strikes collective labor agreement disappointed angry
