Download the CLA hospitality.
In recent months, I have been on a campaign across the Netherlands with colleagues and active members of FNV hospitality. We attended public events, company and school visits to hear from hospitality workers about how they are doing and what better employment conditions should be included in the new hospitality CLA.
What struck me during this 'Make your voice heard for a better CLA' tour is that more and more people are familiar with FNV hospitality. People find it positive that we are visibly present because 'something really needs to happen' as 'the sector is on fire.'
I have been working with the union for over ten years and this positive reception was truly a change. Whereas people used to sometimes avoid us 'because a union and employment conditions are not really their concern,' this campaign was completely different. People were keen to talk to us, share their opinions, or fill out our survey. This was true both during the public events and our spontaneous company visits.
Employees are more aware of what a CLA is and how important a good CLA actually is. Most want wages and work-life balance to be adjusted. Because buying a house and combining work with family life is often not possible now. I found it so disappointing to hear that remaining employees with a passion for the hospitality profession are now also considering switching to another sector. Just like their former colleagues who have already left. Because they earn more there and the working hours are much more attractive. Moreover, many can hardly keep up with the work due to the long days because there are simply too few people.
Even hospitality students are already dealing with this. During my information visits to students of hospitality courses, a few were half asleep in class. They had already put in many long days because the boss needed them and they, being 'rookies' and loyal as they are, often do not dare to say no. It's such a shame that many students are already considering dropping out because of this. And at almost every school, I hear that the intake of hospitality students has significantly decreased.
The extent of the staff shortage was evident during our visits throughout the campaign. In restaurants and hotels around us, there were posters everywhere saying: 'Staff wanted.' We heard from employees that they even receive a bonus from their boss if they refer a new employee.
That the hard work in hospitality is appreciated by guests was evident from the visits of shoppers and hospitality suppliers to our stand. Many have a warm heart for hospitality workers and just wanted to come and tell us this. What I found particularly remarkable is that even hospitality employers came to us on their own for a chat. To tell us how they are struggling with the staff shortage and also believe that something needs to change. A few years ago, such a visit would have been unthinkable!
In short, our campaign was a bullseye, and I truly felt that we can make a difference. Now, as a sector, let's seize the moment!
Jillian Teppema
Union representative Collective FNV hospitality