The least you can say about FNV is that they have a taste for boosting membership.
Strikes are taking place in almost all sectors, with or without colleagues from CNV. Striking apparently produces members, and that should be clear by now. In January, 7.353 people joined the FNV. This is the highest number ever to join the union in 1 month and the third time in four months this record has been broken.
"Of course we are proud that the FNV is on the rise, but it is much more important that more and more people, especially young people, stand up and stand up for themselves, for their future and for each other. They realize that you are stronger together and that you can organize in a counter-power is still a dire necessity. We see that reflected in more and more actions, better results and growing support among the population.'"
In the coming week, FNV members will be campaigning at more than a hundred locations. Boas, drivers of buses, care taxis and Uber, garbage collectors, landscapers, drivers and conductors of regional transport lines, shop assistants in the Bijenkorf and the rest of the shopping street take to the streets for fair wages and better working conditions. The call of workers is getting louder every day: we deserve better.
Inflation has created a hole in purchasing power and significant wage increases are desperately needed. Unfortunately, the response from employers is too slow and insufficient. The misunderstanding about this is growing and the stretch among workers is gone. February will therefore be a stormy month. Actions will follow each other in the coming weeks.
"Members from different sectors pass the torch to each other. They feel the pain of the daily price increases in their wallets. We have never started a year with so many strikes and actions, already in 11 sectors and companies. That says something about the need and determination of our members. Unfortunately, the response from employers is below par. Some employers will even take action at the Senate on Tuesday because they do not want the minimum wage to go up."
An increase to 14 euros per hour is urgently needed, according to the FNV. 'We also demand that from politicians. And besides: their call for higher wages rings hollow if they themselves do not make sufficient money available in semi-public sectors such as hospitals and regional transport.'
The strike storm is not limited to next week. There are currently ultimatums from companies such as Hibin, easyJet, Fokker Elmo and Intertek that will expire in the short term. There, too, action is imminent if employers do not comply with the demands made by FNV. On February 15, a major national strike of garbage collectors and boas, as well as other municipal officials, follows. On February 17 and 18, drivers of the care taxis will go on strike. In general hospitals, the barometer is also on storm.
