It took a long time, a big manifestation and many rounds, before the negotiators finally could present a proposal of a cross sectoral agreement.

Since August 2004 the employers were very provocative about the extension of the working time as well as about a zero wage increase.

They constantly refered to Germany and the Netherlands, where the extension of the working time and low cost agreements are possible.

It’s difficult to contest these employers’ arguments, especially when some colleagues are negotiating below the inflation rate. What about our wage coordination rule? This instrument is under serious pressure?

Anyhow in the cross sectoral negotiations, the employers wanted a break through in flexibility (liberalise overtime), on the other hand the unions wanted a substantial wage increase, and we didn’t want more flexibility (considering the already existing and widespread legal and extra-legal possibilities).

A possible agreement was far away and both parties broke up, when the government came in and promised some financial backup (about 250 million €), providing that the parties should continue to negotiate. And so they did.

Finally this was the proposal (most important points):
a wage increase of 4,5% (inflation included) for 2 years;
first 65 hours of overtime can be either compensated or paid according to the individual choice of the employee,
the limit of 65 hours of overtime is brought to 130 hours;
about the second 65 hours (compensation or payment, ...) trade unions should make a collective agreement
financial backup of the government: lowering the taxes for employers on shift premiums, lowering taxes for employees with low wages, lowering the taxes for employers & employees for the first 65 hours overtime.

The proposal was rejected by ABVV (social democratic union) and accepted by ACV (christian union) and ACLVB (liberal union).

Yesterday the government declared the she will carry out by law anyhow this proposal of agreement.

Next step in the negotiation procedure are the branch negotiations. The employers are now in a comfortable position to negotiate, they have a deal about flexibility (government involvment), for the wage increase we can start again from "0".

On behalf of the Belgian trade unions ACV-Metaal, ABVV-Metaal en ACLVB