FNV hospitality is closely monitoring the employment dispute involving several employees with party café La Bastille. The hospitality company has apparently not implemented a CLA increase in salaries for at least some of the staff over the past five years. This is not permitted.
The employment dispute between staff member Victor Gomes and La Bastille owner Sacha Vinke has been dragging on for a year. Vinke has owned several establishments in the city since the death of her husband, the well-known hospitality boss Marcel Vinke, in 2015. After seven years, she wants to dismiss the 51-year-old employee because he drank too much on two occasions in 2017. The parties were in court yesterday.
The head waiter, who was in charge of staff and money when the manager was away, referred to the CLA to see what his rights were. He was shocked. He was disadvantaged on several fronts. For instance, he had been working for six years for the same salary of less than eleven euros per hour.
FNV union representative Marco Bouma, who attended the court case between Gomes and Vinke, said: "We see this happening more often in Amsterdam's hospitality sector. If someone is performing well, they are entitled to a two percent CLA increase per year. I am cautious, but a salary of around twenty euros per hour would be more appropriate for this employee."
Gomes indicated that he never had a performance review with the management. After discovering his violated employment conditions, he reported sick. The company doctor concluded that Gomes was suffering from burnout.
The disgruntled staff member complained, among other things, about misconduct by one of the managers. He has filed a police report against this man.
The company doctor stated that a mediation process should be initiated, in which the conflict with the manager should be resolved. Only months later did the management of La Bastille attempt to do so. It remained at one joint meeting. It became clear in the courtroom that things would never be resolved between the parties. A settlement was not reached. The judge will rule in three weeks on the conditions under which the parties will separate.
La Bastille recently made the news due to covert camera surveillance near a urinal for male staff. Secret audio recordings were also made. Employees were required to sign a new house rule and agree to such recordings. At least five people refused to sign this regulation.
Source: Telegraaf