The three unions, ABVAKABO FNV, CNV Publieke Zaak and NU'91 have negotiated a new 24-month collective agreement for the mental health care sector in a difficult bargaining environment, with the government willing to cut the health budget.
There will be a 1% pay increase on 1 October 2009 and another 1% on 1 August 2010. The year-end bonus payment will be worth 5.25% of salary in 2009 and 5.75% of salary in 2010, while there will also be a 0.65% lump sum payment. New flexible working hours' arrangements will be introduced, along with improved work-life balance provisions that will allow employees to use or save an extra 35 hours of leave.
Netherlands - Two-year deal for mental health workers at www.epsu.org
Op de valreep eindbod geestelijke gezondheidszorg at www.abvakabofnv.nl