Universities and employee organisations reach agreement on new collective agreement

The university sector is under increasing pressure. The Netherlands has not met the target of investing 3% of GDP in research and innovation for years. The Schoof Cabinet's half-billion euro cuts to higher education have meant that all universities have to make hefty, cuts and reorganisations have already been announced in several places. For this reason, the universities and employees' organisations decided not to use the entire wage space for salary increases, but also to use some of the money for employee mobility and development. Another focus of this collective labour agreement is equal pay for women and men. The parties to the collective labour agreement will clarify the (possible) pay differences and take measures where necessary. 

‘Employability Fund’ 

The parties to the collective labour agreement have agreed on a one-off €45 million to set up a three-year Fund to promote employability. This means that each university will have money available to support employees in their professional development and career mobility during times of budget cuts and reorganisations. This makes employees more flexible in the labour market and, if their jobs are under pressure, they can be better guided to work inside or outside the academy. Each university will set up its own fund, in consultation with its employees from the Local Consultative Body. Social safety The parties to the collective labour agreement want to improve social safety. This has already been agreed in previous collective agreements, but the universities want to take the next step. Therefore, using the KNAW report of the Ellemers Committee, the parties to the collective labour agreement will analyse how to improve social safety. In particular, they will look at selection procedures and executive training. For the full negotiation result, with all agreements, see this link.