collective bargaining agreement (CLA)?

What is a collective bargaining agreement (CLA)?

What arrangements apply between employers and employees is not only determined by the employment contracts they enter into with each other. In fact, in addition to the agreements in an employment contract, (supplementary) agreements based on a collective bargaining agreement often apply. Over 85% of working Dutch people fall within the scope of a collective bargaining agreement. In some cases, this collective agreement has been declared generally binding (avv) by the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, which means that all companies in the sector must apply this collective agreement (including employers who are not members of a collective agreement party). For this reason, in order to determine what agreements apply between employers and employees, it is often necessary to also consult the CBA.

What topics within the collective bargaining agreement can you think of?

• Does a collective bargaining agreement apply?
• Scope disputes
• CBA applicable, what then?
• The interpretation of collective agreement provisions: collective agreement standard
• Declaring a collective agreement binding and dispensation
• Continuing effect
• Concurrence of collective agreements
• CBA and pension
• CBA and transfer of undertaking

What can our employment lawyers do for you?

The (applicability of a) collective agreement and the claims that follow from it are regularly a source of discussion. We offer entrepreneurs practical advice and guidance in resolving such discussions.

We can also advise you on the possibilities of obtaining dispensation (exemption) and assist you during such a process by, for example, entering into consultations with the parties to the collective bargaining agreement concerned.