Dutch mental healthcare unions initiate action following failed negotiations

The LAD/FBZ and other healthcare unions have launched an action trajectory within Dutch mental healthcare (GGZ) institutions. This decision follows an ultimatum that expired on November 9, after employers failed to provide a significantly improved collective labor agreement (CAO) proposal.

Negotiations regarding the new CAO GGZ have been ongoing since March, but unions report that the gap between their demands and employer offers remains too large. Union negotiator Robert Barendse stated that the current employer offer is insufficient, noting that it fails to address critical workplace issues such as unpaid hours for Aios, insufficient compliance with existing agreements, and lack of professional influence.

Specific grievances include wage and travel expense discrepancies, with unions noting that the proposed 4.7% increase over 29 months lags behind the 7.2% offered in the VVT collective agreement. While the specific forms of industrial action have not yet been announced, the unions indicated that they feel forced to act to protect healthcare professionals.