ING: Energy bonus up to 2000 euros for employees | Economy

The trade unions FNV Finance, CNV Vakmensen and De Unie have sent the board of ING Bank an ultimatum, which expires on Monday 13 March at noon. If the bank top sticks to their current wage offer, the next day – March 14 – will follow immediately – ‘the very first work stoppage in the history of the bank’, according to the trade union movement.

In a written statement, ING writes: ,,For us, it is paramount that we want to take good care of our colleagues. For that reason, for example, despite the fact that the collective labor agreement has not yet been concluded, we have already decided to compensate for the high energy prices. In January we paid 2000 euros gross to colleagues with a monthly salary of a maximum of 5824.79 euros gross. These are colleagues up to and including the end of scale 10 and some colleagues in scales 11 and 12. Everyone who earns more received a gross benefit of 500 euros.”

A spokesperson emphasizes that ING is already known as a good employer, but still thought it was important to distribute this compensation, despite the fact that there is no collective agreement. The spokesman disputes that a possible strike would be the first time in the history of the bank. In the past, campaigns were also held at Postbank, before this bank merged with ING Bank in 2009.

ING continues to write about the ultimatum: ,,We are very sorry that, despite the far-reaching efforts of all parties involved, we have not (yet) succeeded in concluding a new collective labor agreement. We hope to continue talking in the near future, as it remains our priority to conclude a new collective labor agreement. For this we remain in contact with one or more trade unions.”

ING says it understands that in the current economic context purchasing power has decreased for many colleagues. “We will certainly pay attention to this in our response; we also take the signals of work pressure and appreciation very seriously.”