Cleaners reject new collective labor agreement: 'It is hard work'

Cleaners across the Netherlands have initiated a five-day strike to protest a new collective labor agreement, impacting schools, office buildings, railway stations, and Schiphol Airport. Organized by the FNV union, workers are challenging provisions regarding sick pay, which they argue penalizes employees performing physically demanding labor. Furthermore, staff are demanding higher wages that better track with inflation and object to discrepancies in weekend bonuses between different sectors, such as hotels and airports. While the employers' association, Schoonmakend Nederland, defends the agreement by citing improvements like faster access to permanent contracts and better travel allowances, the FNV remains firm in its opposition.

Demonstrators expressed their frustration during gatherings, emphasizing that the physical toll of their work makes the new sick leave policies unsustainable. Although the FNV did not sign the agreement with the CNV union and employers, the terms still apply to their members. While employers have encouraged further dialogue, workers are considering escalating their actions to ensure their demands are met in future negotiations.