The CNV trade union federation has set a 2011 pay rise target of between 1.5% and 2.5%, in line with inflation, news agency ANP reports on Monday.

In addition to maintaining spending power, the country’s second-biggest union grouping wants companies to invest more in maintaining jobs. ‘We consider work more important than pay,’ chairman Jaap Smit was quoted as saying.
At the beginning of this month, the FNV general workers union said it would demand a 2011 pay rise above the rate of inflation.
Budget
Traditionally, the FNV makes its pay demand public after the government publishes its next year spending plans on the third Tuesday in September.
And over the past few years, unions and employers have agreed that pay rises should be around the level of inflation in order to maintain spending power.
Inflation has been around 1% this year but is forecast to rise to up to 2% in 2011