Last week, the FNV held a small-scale action in an emptied swimming pool. From all over the Netherlands, a few indispensable swimming instructors travelled to Oss to draw attention to their poor working conditions. Beside the statue of The Indispensables, Anique, they expressed that they are in dire straits. The action also marked the launch of the petition for a better CLA.
Role under pressure
The role of swimming instructor is under pressure. The pay is poor and employers from the CLA swimming pools are unwilling to add even a euro, not even this year. In recent years, swimming pool employees have received so little pay increase that they have actually fallen behind by 3%.
FNV union representative Ingrid Koppelman: “I would have preferred to see hundreds of people travel to Oss. Apart from corona, that's practically impossible because every swimming instructor is currently needed in the pool. Today we are drawing attention to the indispensable swimming instructor.”
Will the profession soon disappear?
Pascal Caenen came from Maastricht and emphasised the great responsibility you have as a swimming instructor. “You not only teach, you are a first aider, a rescuer from drowning and a host; all for a salary that does not match that responsibility.” He fears for the future of the profession: “All young entrants disappear after four years. They go for a job with less workload, less responsibility and more salary. The old guard is retiring and the expertise is being lost.”
Frannie Verwaal from Krimpen aan de IJssel shares that concern. She said she loves her profession, and she has also infected her daughter with the swimming virus. But her job satisfaction is currently under great work pressure. “We are currently working almost around the clock to get all the schedules sorted. We do the work with passion and pleasure, but it deserves more appreciation.”
Tendering = stripping
That is why the present swimming instructors, together with the FNV union representatives, called for a careful examination of whether tendering is not too detrimental to the swimming pool staff. Swimming is a public duty and a responsibility that also serves a greater interest, namely the safety of our children and anyone swimming without a diploma.
One CLA
The FNV has long been calling for one CLA for all swimming pools. Koppelman: ‘There are currently too many differences between the CLAs. And where one employer clearly shows appreciation to their employees, as in the concluded CLA for the sports and nature sector, another employer is not responsive. If public money has to be added all the time to keep a commercial pool open, you might question whether privatising a public duty was such a good idea.”