Corus negotiations break-down in the Netherlands

Negotiations between the unions and the steelmaker Corus have broken down after the company only offered a 1.0% increase over 14 months as well as asking for greater flexibility. The unions are looking for a 4.0% increase for the 10,000 employees covered by the agreement at a time when inflation is as also at 4.0% (January 2002). Union mass meetings were underway as Bargaining Report went to press. The company has proposed a pay freeze in the UK.

This contrasts with the agreement for 50,000 employees in university hospitals They have gained a total of 11.25% over two years, made up of a 4% increase from March 2002, a further 1.8% paid as a end of year payment in December 2002, a further 3.75% in 2003 and an increase of 1.7% in the end of year payment in 2003, bring it to 3.5%.