Collective bargaining at petrol stations and carwashes progresses, but no agreement yet
Negotiations for the new collective agreement for petrol stations and carwash companies are nearing the final stage. Trade union CNV and industry organisations BOVAG and DRIVE shared an update on progress this week. Although great strides have been made, there are still some points that will be discussed during the final round of negotiations on 4 April.
CNV informs that considerable progress has been made in the collective agreement negotiations. Employers are offering a two-year CBA with an 8 per cent wage increase. However, there are still important issues that the workers’ organisation believes require further elaboration.
For instance, CNV submitted proposals on behalf of workers to reduce the workload and employers agreed to abolish the overtime obligation. In addition, CNV advocates a higher overtime bonus and a shorter calculation period for overtime. Employers have indicated they will return to this in the next round of negotiations.
Higher allowances
Another spearhead of the union is increasing allowances, such as the kilometre allowance, which the union says should be brought to the fiscal maximum. It also calls for increasing overtime pay from 25 per cent to 30 per cent. Employers are studying the feasibility of this.
CNV had hoped for the abolition of waiting days during illness and the introduction of an Early Retirement Scheme (RVU). However, employers indicate that these schemes are not financially feasible. However, expansion of the generation pact is being considered and a study on sick leave is ongoing, on the basis of which further agreements may be made in the future.
BOVAG: “Constructive consultation”
Trade associations BOVAG and DRIVE also let it be known that the negotiations are taking place in a constructive atmosphere. Employers and employee organisations have moved closer together, according to the trade association.
Employers have submitted a wage offer that BOVAG says “does justice to what is going on in the industry.” Besides wage increases, issues such as travel allowances, youth wages and overtime are still under discussion. An extension of the generation pact is also being considered.
Period without a collective agreement
The current collective agreement expired on 1 April 2025. Most agreements remain in force, but on some points statutory regulations now apply. For instance, the probationary period has been reduced from two months to one month with immediate effect and the notice period for employees with more than five years of service may be longer, reports BOVAG.
For new employees entering service after 1 April, BOVAG advises making agreements based on the previous collective agreement. This is because once a new CBA is concluded, it will take effect retroactively.
The final round of negotiations will take place on Friday 4 April. It will then become clear whether there will be a final agreement on the new collective agreement for petrol stations and carwash companies.
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