The management of Royal FloraHolland has incurred the wrath of the unions. FNV director Jeroen Brandenburg speaks of blackmail and scaremongering at the flower auction in Eelde.
The company announced more than a month ago that the branch in Eelde will close before the summer. The reason is the declining number of flowers supplied and declining purchasing power.
Trade unions and the management of the flower wholesaler are diametrically opposed to each other when it comes to the social plan that has been laid down for the staff of the flower auction in Eelde. The company will close the doors of this branch next year.
According to FNV, trade union rights have been compromised by unilaterally submitting a social plan to employees who will lose their jobs in Eelde. The company is adhering to the 2023/2024 social plan that has now been declared applicable.
Trade union CNV makes the same observation as FNV: “Royal FloraHolland was convinced that it could unilaterally push through a bid. Apparently it was not logical for Royal FloraHolland to talk to the unions about a new suitable social plan.”
The words of Brandenburg from FNV are not gentle: “This process shows no respect towards the unions, but certainly not towards your employees, many of whom are very loyal to the company. This is arrogance of the highest order.”
The trade unionist indicates that unions have indicated several times that they would like to enter into consultations, but that doors then close immediately.
Jeroen Brandenburg also speaks of staff who feel under pressure. “Several employees feel blackmailed into signing the settlement agreement. If they do not do so within a very short period of time, additional compensation will be taken from them. This is a form of scaremongering towards the staff.”
Royal FloraHolland contradicts this. Spokesman Sander van Pijkeren: “We have put scenarios side by side for the employees and communicated them. It is explained that if people do not sign the settlement agreement (VSO), the process will go through the UWV.”
“For example, the VSO includes a bonus, which is of course not paid out if people choose a different approach. But no one is forced and there is no form of pressure whatsoever,” Van Pijkeren explains.
Jeroen Brandenburg of FNV also accuses the flower wholesaler of exerting pressure by threatening to close the flower auction in Eelde earlier. To him it feels as if the company wants to silence the unions.
Sander van Pijkeren of Royal FloraHolland also contradicts this. “We continue to strive to remain open in Eelde until June 30. We want to remain open as long as possible, among other things, to give growers and buyers time to look for other options for their purchasing.”
The company spokesperson does say that there is room to bring forward the closing date. “We have asked the growers to stay with us until June 30, and they have made that promise. But if unrest arises, for example due to actions by the unions, there is a chance that growers will be forced to choose other purchasing options. If our security of supply is jeopardized, we may have to revise the closing date.”
Trade unions CNV and FNV convened a meeting for the staff of the flower auction in Eelde on January 5. This is a so-called three-quarters meeting. “This means that three-quarters of the members must agree, so that we as unions can issue an ultimatum to the management,” explains Brandenburg of FNV. “I hope that employees will not be frightened and will go against it en masse.”
The spokesperson for Royal FloraHolland indicates that the company wants to talk to the unions. “There is currently no appointment planned with the unions, but we are always prepared to explain our proposal. But we maintain the position that what we have now presented is a fair proposal.”
About 70 people work at the flower auction in Eelde.