FLORAHOLLAND (21 April 2010) - On 12 March, after six rounds of negotiations, FloraHolland made its final offer on a Collective Labor Agreement to the worker’s unions FNV Bondgenoten and the CNV Services Federation. Since then, the unions have rejected this final offer. On Thursday 15 April, they presented FloraHolland with an ultimatum. If FloraHolland does not comply with this ultimatum by the time it expires at midnight on 22 April, the unions have indicated that they will begin industrial action. In the meantime, this information has been widely disseminated by the unions. FloraHolland understands the underlying feelings, and greatly wishes to duly resume the negotiations. People need each other in times like these. A strike will benefit nobody, neither employees nor the industry. At the end of the day, we have to continue to work with each other. FloraHolland wants to resolve this dispute at the negotiating table, together with the unions.
FloraHolland’s proposal encompasses a Collective Labor Agreement with a duration of 15 months. It provides for a 0.75% raise in salaries as of 1 January 2010, one of 0.25% as of 1 January 2011, and a one-off payment of €125 in July 2010. Additionally, FloraHolland will invest in enlarging employees' job security by providing opportunities for training and personal development. Part of the proposal is a further harmonization of the terms of employment. FloraHolland has succeeded in preventing compulsory redundancies. However, the industry still finds itself in an economically poor and unstable position. Many growers and clients are going through a difficult time. FloraHolland’s proposal is in keeping with these developments in the industry. FloraHolland wants to resolve this dispute together with the unions and hopes to come to a collective solution through talks.
The possible industrial action that has been announced by the unions may cause inconvenience to individual suppliers, clients, and transporters. FloraHolland regrets that third parties may be affected in this way by the Collective Labor Agreement dispute with the unions. We will keep you informed through www.floraholland.com, among others, as soon as we receive more information.
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