The announced strike by pharmacy employees may not take place next week. This was determined by the judge in summary proceedings initiated by employers in the pharmacy sector against the FNV and CNV trade unions. With the action on December 23, 24 and 27, the employees wanted, among other things, to force a pay increase.
Due to the strike, many pharmacies would be closed for the entire Christmas week. Including the weekend before and after Christmas, this would be a closure of nine days.
During the hearing, which took place on Thursday at the court in Utrecht, lawyers from the Employers’ Association of Independent Public Pharmacists (WZOA) and the Association of Chain Pharmacies (ASKA) demanded a ban on the strike. They find this “completely irresponsible” and fear irreparable health damage if patients do not receive their medication on time.
The unions’ lawyers said during the hearing that it is wrongly assumed that pharmacies have limited or no access for nine days and that they can also open on Saturdays. They also do not fear for patient safety, because according to them, agreements have been made to guarantee the necessary care during the strike.
It is not yet known why the judge ruled in favor of the employers. The preliminary relief judge will later provide the reasons for the ruling.
Trade unions FNV and CNV demand that salaries be increased retroactively by at least 6 percent from July 1. They also want the minimum salary to increase to 16 euros per hour and for measures to be taken to ease the workload. The unions also ask for continued payment of the time that employees need to prepare for the working day.
Employers offer 2 percent from July 1 and 5 percent from July 1 next year. They say they can no longer provide more due to the policies of health insurers and the government.