In this section, we outline the importance of joining a labor union as a PhD candidate. However, in the Netherlands not all PhD candidates work on their thesis under the same conditions, and the benefits of joining a union might differ. Do you not know (yet) which contract you have? Go to this page to find out!
The importance of joining a labor union
It is often wrongly assumed that labor conditions are determined unilaterally by your employer. This is a misconception. Without the contribution of labor unions in the Netherlands, working conditions would look very different. Over the years labor unions have struggled for the banning of child labor, the 8-hour work day, pay during pregnancy and illness, and vacation and holiday allowances, among many other things.
Nowadays, the labor unions are some of PNN’s main partners in our effort to improve the conditions of all PhD candidates. Labor unions work with PNN and our member organizations to ensure the representation of PhD candidate’s interests in Collective Labor Agreement (CLA)negotiations, and at many other levels. Labor unions also influence national policy decisions and play a key role in monitoring and improving working conditions at universities, UMC’s and research institutions. Finally, labor unions provide information and legal support to individual members, including on PhD related issues.
Om promovendi te kunnen blijven vertegenwoordigen, hebben ze ook promovendi nodig die lid worden. Voor promovendi zijn de meest relevante vakbonden de AOb, FNV en CNV, afhankelijk van waar je een arbeidsovereenkomst hebt en je eigen voorkeur. Sommige vakbonden, zoals AOb en FNV, bieden speciale lidmaatschapstarieven voor promovendi zonder dienstverband.
PNN works especially close with AOb and CNV at the UMC’s. For more information on joining them and membership benefits, please go to their websites:
- AOb: https://www.aob.nl/en/lid-worden/veelgestelde-vragen-promovendi/
- FNV: https://www.fnv.nl/lidmaatschap/voordelen-van-het-lidmaatschap#/
- CNV: https://www.cnv.nl/lid-worden/
Individual assistance
Aside from the collective benefits, union members also enjoy a variety of individual benefits. Union members are not on their own in the event of a conflict with their employer. Labor unions have specialized legal staff who can go line by line through agreements and discuss all the potential problems that might affect you as an individual, depending on your circumstances.
Every year, PNN receives requests for help from PhD candidates who have a conflict with their employer. A simple conversation with the employer often no longer seems to be an option and professional legal assistance is urgently needed. For example, when the employer refuses to pay the outstanding leave days at the end of the employment contract. In many cases, the PhD candidate cannot go anywhere for legal assistance. The PhD candidate often does not have the money for legal support. If the PhD candidate is not a member of a labor union, he or she is on his or her own. PNN does not have a legal service to provide PhD candidates with legal assistance. A referral to other agencies is the only thing PNN can do in such a case.
Labor union for non-employed PhD candidates
Non-employed PhD candidates can also sign up as members of labor unions, and we encourage you to do so as a way to join efforts and gain a stronger collective voice. This way, you can also gain access to the membership benefits of the labor union, such as legal assistance in case you come in conflict with your institution.
Do you want to know more? Contact Lex Mandos for advice.
Lex Mandos
Labour conditions - universities
