Yesterday, KLM made the newspaper again. This time it was about an impasse in the consultations between unions and KLM. But the miracles are not out of the world yet. While the newspaper was being printed, there was some space in the consultation for the first time. And of course we are happy with that. This information provides a brief explanation.
- ‘No forced redundancies’
In the context of Back on Track, this is an important point for De Unie. We have great difficulty with the reduction of the number of jobs in the land organization and do not find ‘forced redundancies’ acceptable. A guarantee about ‘no forced redundancies’ now seems feasible, provided that we are able to make agreements with KLM about a number of ‘tools’ with which KLM can ‘manage’ redundancy. Because we have already made suggestions for this ourselves (including voluntary departure), we are positive. We have exchanged ideas and suggestions with KLM and will continue to discuss this with each other.
- Annex 15
It was already agreed in the previous collective labor agreement that we must modernize Annex 15. In its first opinion on Back on Track, the works council also concluded that the current appendix 15 is not applicable. In the discussions about Annex 15, De Unie has always emphasized that the value of the current regulation is an important starting point. KLM is now prepared to include this principle in the discussions and has made a global inventory of the value for various age categories. The big question here is and remains how we deal with the effect of changed laws and regulations (social security and pension options). The latter has of course changed enormously in recent years (read: worsened). - CLA
De Unie has indicated that it cannot simply agree to deteriorations of the Land Collective Labor Agreement. Proposals that improve flexibility are only negotiable for us if ‘voluntary’ and a form of ‘compensation’ have been considered. Taking this point into account, KLM has again provided an explanation of a number of amended proposals.
The flex proposals that have been discussed again relate to the ratio of flex to permanent, the scheduling of 10-hour shifts (only for technology), the classification of loose KV hours (limitation and compensation) and an incentive for shortening the notice times for R shifts. In addition, KLM seems willing to reconsider the previously proposed austerity measures of the elderly scheme that relates to temporary part-time prior to retirement (TDVAP), whether or not in combination with the RVU scheme.
In summary, we are cautiously optimistic. Suddenly there is ‘a conversation’, in which KLM starts to meet us halfway. We are happy with that, given the past few months. Now ‘one swallow does not make a summer’. There is certainly no agreement yet and there are still considerable ‘bumps’ to overcome (including still 2x zero line for wages and no movement on IPB).
The talks will resume on Wednesday 26 March. We will of course keep you informed. And if you have any questions or comments, please send a message to huug.brinkers@unie.nl.
Finally, the following…
We understand from members that KLM is unable to publish new schedules in time at some places in the organization. This is of course not nice for employees. We have pointed this out to KLM and expect a response in the short term.
Sincerely,
also on behalf of the delegation members,
Huug Brinkers
Advocate
