Success of the cleaning staff at Center Parcs "Het Heijderbos"
Also a success of European solidarity
On 29 August 2008, we reported about the struggle of the cleaning staff
at Center Parcs "Het Heijderbos" in the Netherlands. This
amusement park is located near the German border. Center Parcs
management had the cleaning outsourced to the German company Menke.
This company did not bother to apply the Dutch collective agreement,
but paid the cleaning workers at their own discretion.
At the height of the struggle to ensure compliance with the Dutch collective agreements, a delegation of the cleaning staff visited the headquarters of the parent company Pierre & Vacances in Paris. They were supported by their trade union FNV Bondgenoten, the French trade union CFDT and representatives of UNI Public Services.
The result of this visit was a top-level talk this week between the parties involved at Center Parcs "Het Heijderbos".
This top-level talk has led to an agreement between Menke, Center Parcs and FNV.
Contents of the agreement:
-
Payment of wages under Dutch collective agreement and equal rights for all employees
-
Withdrawal of the termination of the dismissed workers
-
Establishment of a works council
Thus, this fight led a full success, special thanks also to the CFDT
for their support.