Dutch unions go for 2.5% rise next year

FNV, the largest union confederation in the Netherlands, is proposing that next year its negotiators will ask for a maximum 2.5% pay increase, slightly above expected rate of inflation.

Each autumn, the FNV draws up its wage demands for the coming year and it is normally noted for its moderation. This year the confederation has said that “wage moderation is now counterproductive” and it is therefore calling for a maximum increase of 2.5%, which is slightly above the current inflation rate of 2.3% (September).

The FNV also asked for an increase of 2.5% for 2012 and it estimates that for agreements settled so far this year the average increase has been 1.8%, with higher increases in the private sector than the public sector, where the government has attempted to impose a pay freeze.

“Irresponsible” was the immediate and unsurprising response of employers. “The FNV apparently hasn’t understood that we are in an economic crisis,” they said.