Negotiations have been going on for months about proposals in a new collective labor agreement between employees and employers of medicine manufacturer Delpharm in Meppel. Because the FNV trade union and the management could not agree on a new collective labor agreement, action was taken today at the gate of the pharmaceutical company.
Last Friday, an ultimatum drawn up by employees and the FNV expired. In response to this, FNV is conducting a ‘lunch campaign’ by handing out sandwiches and drinks to staff. “You want the employer to ultimately realize that something has to be done to reach an agreement with the unions,” says FNV director Esam Laassal.
The new proposals called for a pay increase, a different appraisal system and a different sickness scheme. “The employer currently punishes you if you are sick,” says an employee who has been with the company for twenty-six years. “Being ill is not a choice, it is something that happens to you. So we do not feel heard and certainly not appreciated.”
These are currently smaller actions, but the FNV union does not rule out tougher actions in the near future. FNV director Laassal: “Striking is the ultimate tool you can use to increase the pressure a bit. So if these actions do not yield anything, you can assume that things will go in that direction.”
Delpharm management has been asked for a response, but no substantive response has yet been received.