Despite the economic and financial crisis a collective agreement has been signed between the Employees Association (LANV) and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (LIHK). After twelve rounds of negotiations which were held in a fair and objective atmosphere, the new agreement became effective by January 2013. Trade union priorities in the negotiations were the non-discrimination of atypical working conditions, the protection of personal rights and equal opportunities and improved arrangements relating to the compatibility of family and work. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce focused on more flexibility during the economic downturn, especially on more flexibility regarding working hours. However, a working hour variance must be agreed with trade union or by the works council members. Over 9,000 employees will benefit from the new agreement.
German: www.lanv.li
For more information, please contact the editor Jan Cremers, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies (AIAS) cbn-aias@uva.nl or the communications officer at the ETUI, Mariya Nikolova mnikolova@etui.org. For previous issues of the Collective bargaining newsletter please visit http://www.etui.org/E-Newsletters/Collective-bargaining-newsletter. You may find further information on the ETUI at www.etui.org, and on the AIAS at www.uva-aias.net.