A boost for supermarket chain Jumbo in its battle with the unions for a new collective agreement. An overwhelming majority of permanent employees have indicated they prefer Jumbo's Working Conditions Regulations (AVR) to the collective agreement.
Jumbo developed the AVR together with the Central Works Council (COR) as an alternative to a collective agreement, to the displeasure of the unions, who believe that a collective agreement better protects employees. "Agreeing an AVR with your own central works council (cor) is irresponsible. We have already seen this in the hospitality industry. There, an AVR led to huge deteriorations in the sector," trade union FNV wrote about it earlier. "So: no matter how well the works council people mean it, if you conclude an agreement with your own employer, it means you no longer have any say in your own terms of employment."
AVR versus collective labour agreement
Over the past two months, all around 3,000 permanent employees at Jumbo Logistics were given the choice between the new AVR or the past collective agreement. In the end, around 72 per cent of the total number of permanent employees made a choice. Of these, 96 per cent indicated they wanted to be covered by the new AVR from now on. Less than 4 per cent of employees chose to continue working under the collective agreement. The AVR also applies to the 1,500 temporary workers working in Jumbo's distribution centres.
Jumbo employees who opted for the AVR will receive a 1 per cent wage increase with retroactive effect to 26 February 2018. A 1.5 per cent increase will be added next year.
No distinction between AVR employees and collective agreement employees
Jumbo says that the differences between the two schemes for each employee have been calculated individually and put in writing. Each employee received an individual explanation of the overview. Employees could tick and sign their choice on a form or make it known by computer using their employee number.
In a press statement, the supermarket chain says: "Jumbo respects the relatively small group of employees who have chosen to continue working under the past collective agreement. Apart from the differences in employment conditions preferred by employees themselves, we make no distinction between 'AVR employees' and 'collective agreement employees'."
