According to the new collective agreement, Tata Steel’s staff will not receive an increase in wages. However, they can count on a one-off payment of EUR 300 gross twice and receive a higher contribution to the health costs. That’s what the FNV Union and the steelmaker agreed on.

‘The times are uncertain for both the workers and the steel industry, but we do not believe that it is the workers who have to pay the greatest price.” According to Berghuis, the two allowances and the higher health contributions are “of great importance in these difficult times”.

It was also agreed that the pension premium would increase slightly. Next year, Tata and the unions will continue to discuss flexible working and more influence of the workforce on how shift work is scheduled.

The new collective agreement will enter into force on 1 April and will last for a year. Between 13,000 and 14,000 people work at Tata, most of them in IJmuiden.