The council has made this point in a letter to the Executive Board and the unions. Last week, a narrow majority of union members rejected the ‘negotiation result’ for a new CAO that was achieved with much difficulty, saying the wage offer was too low. The unions say further action cannot be ruled out. Meanwhile, the WUR Council is losing patience. In its letter to both sides, the Council writes, ‘We hope that the negotiators for a new CAO will soon reach a result that is acceptable to the trade unions’ rank and file.’Simon Vink, the Board spokesman, says in response that it is a pity that the unions’ members rejected the offer.
However Rob van Baalen, the negotiator on behalf of the Abvakabo trade union, says he sees the document mainly as support for the unions’ standpoint. Van Baalen wants to persuade the DLO directors to change the offer.
The Council is particularly annoyed at the way that the current stalemate is holding back uncontroversial measures as well. To give one example, amendments to allow for the increase in the retirement age ‘simply cannot wait’. At present, there can be a gap between when employees retire and when their state pension becomes payable. The WUR Council criticizes the Board for this. Preventing such a gap in state pension payments is part of ‘being a good employer’ and does not belong in CAO negotiation.