This morning, cleaners at Schiphol Airport have ended their strike after employers had met most of their demands. Union FNV Bondgenoten called the achievement a ‘great victory’ and an example for every employee in the Netherlands. Cleaner Judy Lock: “Stop thinking that merely being a member of the union is enough. No way: organise a majority of your co-workers and agitate! Then the agreement will follow sooner or later. I’m really glad!”
Schiphol cleaners have won travel expenses, job security and a 50 euro bonus. In addition, all cleaners in the Netherlands will receive a one-off bonus of 0.5% of their yearly gross income. Schiphol had already agreed to provide a decent room for the cleaners to eat lunch as well as trade union facilities.
In order to achieve these results, the cleaners had to campaign for over three months, strike for four days and endure intimidation and lawsuits. They received broad support from activists, fellow Schiphol workers, politicians, celebrities and the general public.
Ron Meyer of FNV Bondgenoten told the ANP press agency that the campaign also constitutes a build-up to the negotiations for a new collective agreement, which will start by the end of this year.
Congratulations can be sent to steundeschoonmakers@live.nl. Photo: FNV Bondgenoten
Victory for Amsterdam Airport cleaners
Submitted by fls on April 9, 2009 - 11:08.
