The NFU and the LAD discuss working conditions of academic medical specialists

The Netherlands Federation of University Medical Centres and the Dutch Association of Salaried Doctors (Landelijke Vereniging van Artsen in Dienstverband, LAD) have started holding talks about Chapter 15 of the UMC cao. This chapter concerns the working conditions of the academic medical specialists, including their salaries. The NFU and the LAD had agreed to discuss this during the course of the current cao.

Changed composition of professional group

There is every reason to focus on the working conditions and circumstances of academic medical specialists. The current agreements are based on the situation in 1999. The composition and circumstances of that professional group have changed greatly in the meantime and are expected to continue changing in the future. In addition, the continuity of care is coming under pressure. New agreements are needed to address the changing world both inside and outside the UMCs. Specific elements to be covered include the high work pressure, the uneven distribution of the burden from shifts, worries about retaining vitality, and insufficient attention being paid to a range of wishes and needs for the different generations.

Starting points for revising Chapter 15

In several initial discussions, the LAD and the NFU formulated joint starting points:

• the new agreements contribute to the sustainable employability of all generations of academic medical specialists;
• the continuity of care and the available capacity remain guaranteed;
• the text of the revised Chapter 15 must be clearly legible and the agreements straightforward, so equivalent cases are treated equally.

In the coming months the two parties will talk further about working hours, leave, generational policy, shifts and type of work. The aim is to produce a supported document for Chapter 15 before the summer of 2025, for consideration during the negotiations for the entire UMC cao, which are expected to start after the summer. Ultimately, the new agreements about Chapter 15 would be included in an integral cao agreement. As usual, the members of the LAD, just like members of other unions and the UMCs, will vote on it in due course.