Union members approve the new cao UMCs
There’s a new cao for UMC employees. The members of three of the five unions involved have approved by a large majority the negotiation result realised on January 29. This is sufficient support to allow the new cao to take effect.
The new cao applies to all UMC employees, with retroactive effect from 1 January 2026, through 31 December 2027. Several of its elements come into force at later timepoints, see the overview below.
Wages for UMC employees will rise twice during the period covered: by 3.5% on 1 July 2026 and by another 3.5% on 1 May 2027. This wage increase is limited to a maximum of scale 14. This means that full-time employees in a higher scale will receive a salary increase amounting to €306 per month from 1 July 2026 and €317 per month from 1 May 2027. The same increase applies to all scales starting from scale 15.
A complete and balanced cao
The UMCs are pleased with the new cao, as it means a significant improvement in working conditions for all UMC employees. Along with the wage increase, agreements were also reached about vitality, commuting expenses reimbursement, a better work-life balance and personal development. The complete list of agreements is available in the negotiation result.
Next steps to take
The three unions and UMCNL are busy elaborating the definitive cao text. As soon as it is ready, it will be published on umcmedewerkers.nl, in the cao-app and in a cao booklet.
Main elements of the cao and their starting date
(the text to be published in the cao will contain the complete overview of all agreements and the precise details)
| Agreement | Starting date |
| Non-statutory leave extended from 32 hours to 36 hours | 1 January 2026 |
| Generational policy for medical specialists | 1 January 2026 |
| No requirement to have name on badge | 1 January 2026 |
| Improvement of the generational policy through scale 6 | 1 April 2026 |
| Increase in changing allowance to €110 gross per month | 1 April 2026 |
| Clarification of legal position of new PhD students | 1 April 2026 |
| Public transport expenses reimbursed 100%, minimal distance limit of 7km removed | 1 May 2026 |
| Commuting expenses compensation increases to 21 cents per km (maximum of 40 km one-way) | 1 May 2026 |
| Improved commuting expenses reimbursement for medical specialists in training | 1 May 2026 |
| First salary raise of 3.5% (max. €306 per month) | 1 July 2026 |
| Elaboration of saving in leave balance pot for medical specialists | 1 July 2026 |
| Bonus for working irregular shifts is 47% on Saturday morning (08:00-12:00) | 1 July 2026 |
| Internship allowance increased to €500 gross per month | 1 July 2026 |
| Allowance for interns raised to €300 gross per month | 1 July 2026 |
| Continued payment of bonus for working irregular shifts for pregnant employees (from 20 weeks) | 1 July 2026 |
| Evaluation of the protocol against transgressive behaviour | 3rd quarter of 2026 |
| Bonus for working irregular shifts is 72% on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve from 20:00 | December 2026 |
| Changing allowance used for purchasing leave | 1 January 2027 |
| Second salary raise of 3.5% (max. €317 per month) | 1 May 2027 |
| Use of work-related costs scheme (WKR) allowance for student debt | In consultation with Works Council |
| Training vouchers | Still to be worked out with the unions |
| More attention to be paid to menstruation, menopause and fertility | Continuous |