Trade union federation FNV targets 3% pay rise next year

Trade union federation FNV said on Monday its focus for the coming year’s pay talks will be a 3% pay rise and to expand negotiations to include freelancers and payroll staff.

The country’s biggest union with some 1.1 million members says employers are investing less of their profits in staff and improving the quality of work even though the economy is picking up.

The union traditionally announces its targets the day before the government presents its spending plans for the next year.

In particular the union says there needs to be a system of minimum pay rates for freelancers and more people on flexible and staffing agency contracts should be employed on a traditional, permanent basis.

Of the 195 pay deals sealed this season, 121 include commitments on flexible contracts and minimum tariffs, the union said. These include minimum rates for self-employed architects and musicians.

Some critics say the concept of minimum pay rates for freelancers conflicts with competition legislation. However, a court in The Hague ruled earlier this month that the union can agree minimum charges for freelance orchestra members because their position is no different to that of traditional employees.