Report about the sectoral agreement in the Belgian metal construction industry.

In the metal construction industry the Belgian trade unions reached a sectoral agreement for the blue collar workers for the next 2 years (2007-2008). The metal construction industry is the biggest metal sector in Belgium; it employs about 160.000 blue collars.

Wage increase

On June 30th - 2007, an envelop of 0,7% of the gross wage mass, is at the disposal of the company level to negotiate wage increase or other issues (pension schemes, sickness insurance,...). This "envelop negotiations" on company level, are since a few years a common procedure in this sector. If on the company level the unions don't reach an agreement or if they don't want to negotiate, the real wages are automatically increased with 0,7%.

On July 1st - 2007, all wages will be adapted at the yearly expected inflation rate, we expect 1,95%;

On July 1st - 2008, all wages will be adapted at the yearly expected inflation rate, again we expect 1,95%;

On October 1st - 2008, a wage increase of 0,4% is planned, decreased with the difference between the expect inflation 2007+2008 and the real inflation. I.e. if the real inflation over two years will be 4%, the wage increase will be 0,3% (= 0,4% + [3,9% - 4%]);

From the 0,4% wage increase on October 1st - 2008, a 0,1% is taken especially for employment measures but only for the Walloon region (south of the country) apart from increase due to the adaptation to inflation (July 2007 and 2008) the national and regional minimum wages are increased with 0,08 €/h at June 30th 2007 and with another 0,08 €/h at October 1st 2008.

Pension scheme

At the moment 1,6% of the gross wages is contributed to an sectoral additional pension scheme, this contribution will be increased by 0,1% from January 1st - 2008 on.

if the inflation over 2007+2008 is lower then planned (3,9%), then the difference will be added to the sectoral additional pension scheme. I.e. if real inflation over the 2 years is 3,8%, then 0,1% is added to the pension system.

Training (common demand)

Training efforts at company level will be increased, until now 0,9% of the working hours should be spent at vocational training. The next 2 years this effort will be increased by 2 times 0,15% to arrive at the end of 2008 at an effort of 1,2%;

From 2008 on each blue collar worker will have an individual training curriculum. This curriculum gives an overview of all the training achieved by the person. This curriculum enhances the mobility of the workers within the sector, especially in cases of restructuring;

Every year each company with 50 employees has to make a training plan and discuss it with the union representatives in the company. This plan should point out the training needs at company level and how the employer will respond to these needs;

The signing partners recommend to the regional bodies responsible for training to look at possibilities and the conditions to organize training outside the working hours;

Early retirement

The early retirement agreements on company level at 55, 56 and 57 years as well as on regional level at 57 years old with for each of them a professional career of 38 years, are extended with 2 years;

The early retirement agreements on sectoral level at 58 years with a professional career of 25 years are extended with 2 years. From 2008 the career conditions are increased from 25 years to 38 years (by law);

The early retirement agreement on sectoral level at 55 years (women only) with a professional career of 38 years is extended with 2 years;

The early retirement agreement on sectoral level at 56 years, with a career of 33 years of which 20 years night work is extend till the end of 2008;

An early retirement agreement will be made on intersectoral and sectoral level at 56 years with a career of 40 years.

Any other issues

Some benefits paid by the social fund of the sector are adapted to the inflation: in case of temporary unemployment, full unemployment, sickness;

Seniority, reached during a temporary agency contract or during a contract of limited duration is taking into account if the worker gets a contract of undefined duration;

At the moment this project of agreement is consulted and discussed with the union representatives on the company and regional level. If agreed in the 3 trade unions the agreement will be signed by the end of April.

On behalf of the 3 Belgian trade unions,

Frans BIEBAUT

ABVV-Metaal