A recent ruling by the court has blocked the upcoming strike planned by apothecary workers during the Christmas week, causing disappointment among union representatives and raising concerns about the workers' demands.
The strike, charged by unions FNV and CNV, was scheduled to take place on December 23, 24, and 27, 2023, and was aimed at advocating for wage increases and improved working conditions. The judge, ruling at the court in Utrecht, sided with employers from the pharmacy sector, citing potential risks to public health due to possible delays in providing necessary medications to patients.
Representatives from the Employers’ Association of Independent Public Pharmacists (WZOA) and the Association of Chain Pharmacies (ASKA) argued during the court proceedings, describing the planned strike as "completely irresponsible." They expressed fears of irreparable health damage if patients could not access their medications on time during the busy holiday period.
“After months of fruitless negotiations, the carefully built pressure for action has been taken from us,” stated Ralph Smeets, Executive Board member of FNV Handel en Farmacie. He emphasized the additional pressure exerted on health insurers when strikes occur at the end of the year, making the lost opportunity to protest particularly frustrating.
Union representatives indicated their dismay at the ruling, with CNV’s Justine Feitsma echoing similar sentiments. “We respect the ruling, but we are very disappointed now he restricts our right to strike," she noted, stressing the importance of labor rights within the healthcare sector.
While the unions considered their options for appealing the ruling, there was no indication from the court about the specific rationale behind its decision. The judge has yet to provide the detailed reasoning, which is expected to come later.
The negotiations have been stalled since September, with the unions demanding wage increases of six percent retroactive to July 1, 2023, and also pushing for the minimum wage to rise to sixteen euros per hour. They argue the demand for increasing wages stems from the growing pressures and responsibilities faced by pharmacy staff.
Meanwhile, the Patients’ Federation Netherlands expressed relief over the court's decision to prevent the strike, highlighting concerns for vulnerable patients who rely on timely access to medications, particularly during the holidays. "Although we find it important for healthcare workers to work under good conditions, such extensive strike action poses irresponsible risks for patients," said the organization.
Leading up to the holiday season, the decision to block the strike came after increased levels of activity at pharmacies as patients rushed to acquire necessary medications before changes to healthcare costs were implemented at the start of the new year.
The unions have previously held smaller strikes, which have not yielded the desired results, prompting them to escalate their actions to more significant protests planned for Christmas week. The unions have asserted the necessity of continuing their fight for adequate pay and manageable workloads, as they face pressures from both employers and healthcare insurers.
This developing situation will likely affect not just the pharmacy workers, but could also set precedents for other healthcare professionals seeking similar improvements, raising questions on how unions can effectively advocate for their members' rights without jeopardizing public welfare.
Moving forward, the unions remain resolute, stating they will continue their fight for acceptable outcomes. “We can’t do anything but continue the struggle for the proper collective labor agreements the pharmacy sector desperately needs. We don't plan to back down,” said Smeets emphatically.
