On to 2025!
Every year around this time, I take a moment to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the new year. As I mentally go through everything, I truly realise what an incredibly remarkable year it has been.
And in remarkable years, there are always things that are unpleasant or haven't gone well. Events that allow you to put your work into perspective or sharpen it from a critical viewpoint. It's easy to focus on those, but isn't it much better to focus on the things that are going well?
This past year, we had a tremendously strong campaign. Together with Tigo, our hospitality pro, we set out to gather input for the new CLA from all hospitality staff. We were present at trade fairs, events, in companies, and of course online. And I had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people. So many enthusiastic ambassadors for our beautiful profession! Staff who work in our sector with immense love and passion, but also staff who have rightly expressed concerns about the Updates CLA and employment conditions. And the fact that this is a live issue was evident from the more than 10,000 completed surveys. All these wonderful encounters were central to our efforts in the CLA negotiations.
The past months have seen tough but constructive negotiations, but it was precisely your input and energy that gave us the strength to aim for the maximum. This ultimately led to a negotiation result. And we now know that the negotiation result has been promoted to a definitive CLA hospitality by over 81% of the hospitality staff who voted, effective from 1 January 2024.
A very large group of staff will notice the positive effects in their wallets. This also applies to trainees who will now receive a minimum allowance. Furthermore, we have been able to make improved agreements regarding overtime and a genuine Your career platform is coming. Important steps forward have been taken, but I also realise that we are not there yet.
It is crucial that we, as social partners (employers and employees), continue to work towards a future-proof and attractive sector where it is enjoyable for hospitality staff to (continue to) learn and work.
The year 2024 will certainly not be a year where we can rest on our laurels. We will work hard on the establishment of the Your career platform, a new job structure, and the associated salary framework. And in 2024, we will again call on you, as hospitality staff, to gather input for the CLA from 1 January 2025.
Let's continue to focus on the positive things in life.
Behind every challenge lies a beautiful experience, even if you don't see it immediately.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas. And a very good and happy 2024!
Edwin Vlek
Union representative FNV hospitality