Trade Unions And Hospitals Reach Agreement Ending Strike

In a significant development for healthcare workers in the Netherlands, trade unions and hospitals have reached an agreement on a new collective labor agreement (cao), effectively canceling a nationwide strike that was scheduled for April. The unions, FNV and CNV, announced the agreement on March 27, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for the 225,000 hospital employees represented.

The agreement promises a gradual salary increase of 8 percent over the next two years, alongside additional allowances aimed at addressing the rising cost of living and inflation concerns. According to FNV, the deal aims to alleviate some of the significant dissatisfaction expressed by hospital staff regarding previous wage offers, which they deemed insufficient to counteract inflationary pressures.

"The dissatisfaction is high over the previously offered wage increase, which the unions say does not sufficiently compensate for inflation," FNV noted in their statement. This sentiment has been echoed across the healthcare sector, where employees have voiced their frustrations about working conditions and compensation.

Prior to the agreement, non-emergency hospital staff had planned a one-day strike in mid-April, which would have marked the third national strike in the Netherlands' history for healthcare workers. The last-minute negotiations and subsequent agreement have provided a temporary reprieve from potential disruptions in healthcare services.

On March 25, just days before the agreement, a local day of action took place in Alkmaar, where dozens of healthcare workers participated in a walkout to express their grievances. This demonstration highlighted the urgent need for improved working conditions and compensation in the healthcare sector.

In addition to the salary increase, the agreement includes provisions for a 'time-saving scheme' designed to alleviate workload pressures on hospital staff. This initiative will allow healthcare workers who have completed night shifts to receive a minimum of eight hours of rest before returning to work. Furthermore, discussions are underway to potentially introduce a 32-hour work week, which could further enhance work-life balance for hospital employees.

While the unions have welcomed the agreement, they have also emphasized that the plans must still be presented to their members for approval. The outcome of this ratification process will determine whether the new terms will be fully implemented.

As the healthcare sector continues to navigate the challenges posed by the ongoing demands of patient care and staffing shortages, the agreement represents a step towards addressing some of the critical issues facing hospital employees. The unions and hospital representatives will need to maintain open channels of communication to ensure that the needs of healthcare workers are met moving forward.

The employers' response to the agreement has yet to be publicly disclosed, but the collaborative efforts between the unions and hospital management signal a commitment to improving conditions in the healthcare system. As the situation develops, both sides will be closely monitoring the impact of the new agreement on hospital operations and employee satisfaction.

In summary, the successful negotiation of the collective labor agreement marks a crucial advance for hospital staff in the Netherlands, who have long sought better pay and working conditions. With the planned strike now canceled, the focus shifts to the implementation of the new terms and the ongoing challenges faced by the healthcare sector.