Everything about the collective labor agreement for higher vocational education

At the beginning of the summer of 2023, the trade unions and the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (VH) concluded a negotiating agreement for a new collective labor agreement.

The most recent CLA applies - with retroactive effect - from April 1, 2023 and runs until July 1, 2024. That is fifteen months in total. End of March 2023 made the negotiators announced that the previous collective labor agreement would be extended. On June 28, 2023, negotiators reached a new agreement. In the collective labor agreement consultation for higher professional education, the AOb the largest union.

We do something extra for employees in the lowest salary scales

AObhigher professional education director Douwe van der Zweep negotiates on behalf of the union

Pay raise

Teaching staff in the lowest salary scales will benefit the most in percentage terms. The total structural wage increase in the collective labor agreement for higher professional education 2023-2024 varies between 6,36 and 13,8 percent.

Nominal increase

Part of the wage increase in this collective labor agreement has been agreed as a nominal amount. The lowest scales benefit the most from this. As of 1 July 2023, employees up to and including salary scale 10 will receive a structural increase of EUR 150 gross in full-time employment. For employees in scales 11 and 12, this is 100 euros gross per month.

Higher maximum salary in scales 11 and 12

These scales go up by 149 and 133 euros. Employees at the end of these scales benefit directly. In salary scale 11, a step is added at the bottom.

Salary increase in percentages

On top of these nominal amounts, there will be a salary increase of 1 percent as of 2023 July 6,36. For everyone in scale 13 and higher, only the wage increase of 6,36 percent applies and no nominal increase has been agreed.

One-off payment

In September 2023, all HBO employees will receive a one-off and pensionable payment of 833 euros for full-time employment. Part-timers receive this gross amount pro rata.

Disability insurance

Universities of applied sciences take out collective insurance or guarantee a minimum income in the event of partial disability. This agreement applies retroactively from March 1, 2020, important for colleagues who have become ill during covid.

Job evaluation

New positions for which a BDB and a BKE are requested must be valued in salary scale 11. The old agreement about masters expires.

Research teachers in scale 10

Universities of applied sciences will review all activities of teachers in scale 10 and assess whether they should earn a scale higher.

DI hours for starters and colleagues with a small appointment

Starters and colleagues with an appointment of less than 0,4 FTE will now receive hours for sustainable employability (DI hours). Employees with savings will have more time to use up the balance.

Scheme for seniors

In addition to the current scheme, seniors will be given the option, under certain conditions, to expand the scheme for reduction of working hours for seniors (the ws scheme) without payment by 20 percent. The pension accrual remains the same.

Wondering how much you're improving?

Below is a summary of the percentage salary increase for employees who have reached the maximum of the scale.

Scale 1	13,81 percent
Scale 2	13,13 percent
Scale 3	12,57 percent
Scale 4	12,26 percent
Scale 5	11,97 percent
Scale 6	11,75 percent
Scale 7	11,25 percent
Scale 8	10,68 percent
Scale 9	10,20 percent
Scale 10	9,85 percent
Scale 11	11,33 percent
Scale 12	10,45 percent
Scale 13 to 18	6,36 percent

Source: Algemene Onderwijsbond, negotiating agreement 2023-2024

Background

HBO

December 4 2023

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CLA agreements for training

Universities of applied sciences must annually spend at least 6 percent of their total annual income on professional development. Managers make agreements with teachers and support staff about the training activities and record this in writing. Do you have an employment contract of 0,4 FTE or more? Then you are entitled to 40 hours a year to work on your skills. Employees with a smaller employment contract get fewer hours. Employers must ensure that these hours are exempt from the annual work. If you have to take additional training on behalf of the employer and cannot refuse this, the employer must reimburse 100 percent in time and money.

What about saving hours for sustainable employability?: Douwe van der Zweep, AObdirector for higher education, estimates that many HBO employees still have a piggy bank of Tue hours: “We get a lot of questions about it. Particularly in corona time, the Tue hours are taken less.”
Employees with savings can have this paid out for up to 2023 hours per year in 2024, 2025 and 45. They get more time to use up the savings. This no longer needs to be done before September 1, 2023. Employees will also have the option to buy or sell Tue hours - up to 90 hours.
Are you retiring or terminating your employment? Then you can withdraw the credit of hours that you still have in one go, prior to your departure.
The detailed agreements can be found at the bottom of this page under the downloads.
Am I obliged to include my vacation during the school vacation?: Employers can designate a maximum of one week and four consecutive or non-consecutive days as compulsory holidays, after approval by the PMR. The other days can be taken freely unless there are serious reasons from the employer to oppose this. The collective labor agreement leaves room for exceptions. In consultation with the PMR, the employer can designate longer periods as compulsory holidays. The approval of the PMR is required for this. The PMR can make compensation agreements.
Where can I find the travel allowance?: The travel costs for commuting are determined per university of applied sciences. This can therefore differ per school. For business trips based on public transport, unless you have permission to travel with your own transport, the tax maximum applies.
I am ill for a long time, what does this collective labor agreement mean for me?: The collective labor agreement states that universities of applied sciences prevent sick employees from falling back to subsistence level. Schools take out collective insurance for this or guarantee a minimum income in the event of partial incapacity for work. This agreement applies retroactively from 1 March 2020. This date is important because it ensures that colleagues who have become ill during the covid pandemic are also covered.
Have agreements been made about work pressure?: It has been agreed with regard to the workload that the task assignments must be able to be carried out in a realistic manner within the scope of employment. Employees are given the opportunity to have this tested by an independent committee.
I use the senior citizens scheme, what changes for me?: In addition to the current scheme, seniors will be given the option, under certain conditions, to expand the scheme for reduction of working hours for seniors (the ws scheme) without payment by 20 percent. The pension accrual will then remain unchanged.
I receive benefits, will this also increase?: Yes, usually, because the statutory benefits based on the Extra-Statutory Unemployment Scheme for HBO (BWRHBO) and the Sickness and Disability Scheme for HBO (ZAHBO) will be indexed by 1% with effect from 2023 July 10.
What are the rules regarding achieving an anniversary in education?: If you achieve an anniversary in primary, secondary, vocational or higher professional education, you will receive a bonus. This is laid down in the collective labor agreement and therefore applies to all employees. AOb-employee Jelte Klerk of the Information and Advice Center: “For 25 years of service, this concerns half a gross monthly salary plus holiday allowance. At the age of 40 or 50, jubilees receive a full gross monthly salary.”

Read also the whole article about anniversaries in education with crucial tips.