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'A union ensures that any irritation reaches its peak at the coffee machine'

Now and then you still come across them: people who are members of a trade union out of idealism. Take Maarten van Gestel (45) for instance, chief product owner at ASML. Read more about it.

A union ensures that any irritation reaches its peak at the coffee machine

Now and then you still come across them: people who are members of a trade union out of idealism. Take Maarten van Gestel (45) for instance, chief product owner at ASML. He has hardly any reason to complain about his employer, is occasionally irritated by ‘those little things’ that negatively influence job satisfaction. You can of course just complain, says the Brabanter, but it is better to take matters into your own hands. “ASML is an unwieldly animal and if you want to change course, then you need to work with the union. They interpret better than anyone what is happening on the work floor.”

ASML is one of the major global players in the market for chip machines. Van Gestel manages teams that develop machines that work with extreme ultra violet light (EUV). These are essential for the chips in your smartphone, car or washing machine. He has worked there for ten years, but only became a member of VHP2 last year.

He chose specifically for VHP2. Not because, like ASML, this union has a link with Philips from way back, but because his father was a member. “I wanted to join the union to be able to exercise more influence on the policy of ASML. I had the feeling that it was becoming less about the people and more about the money. That arose when the Bol.com voucher that we received from ASML every Christmas suddenly went to the ASML foundation. Accompanied by a note that children in third-world countries have it worse than us and that we would understand this. Even though such a Christmas present is of course not about the money but about appreciation for your work.’’

‘If you aren't a member then you mustn't complain’

He also heard people complain that their salary had not been increased for many years or that managers take overtime too much for granted. “If you then ask why they do not become a member, the reply is always ‘no time’ or ‘not interested’. So then you shouldn't complain. As a member of the union you meet with the management and you can discuss these kinds of things.”
An often heard reason to become a member of VHP2 is their preference for consultation above hard action. But Van Gestel says that the union suits him because it specifically represents well-trained technical staff.

Generation pact for young and old

Even though ASML would have preferred to negotiate its own Collective Labour Agreement (CAO), the company is bound by the Metalektro CAO. Since this agreement expires on 1 December, negotiations are now taking place about a new CAO. The unions are fighting hard for a working from home allowance, but that is not something which Van Gestel is too bothered about. “I work at home on an office chair from ASML and I look at a screen from ASML. This has all been so well organised that you are not going to hear me say that the coffee must also be paid for.”

Another negotiation item is the generation pact. The idea of this is that employees older than 60 are going to work shorter hours to give young people the opportunity to work this extra time. Because Van Gestel is still far away from his retirement age this pact does not really concern him. “If it concerns creating work for young people I have my doubts. ASML likes to welcome young people, but because few technical staff are available, recruitment takes place abroad. It is a good thing for them that there is a trade union that represents their interests, because they often don't speak the language.”

Van Gestel understands why few young people become members. “They are individualistic and think that they can resolve all their own problems themselves. They only join when a conflict arises, because a union provides legal assistance. However, you can already benefit earlier from membership. Because you don't have an individual contract with ASML, but a collective one. If you want to change something, then joining the union is the only way. Furthermore, there are many layers between the work floor and the board of directors. A union bridges the gap and ensures that any irritation reaches its peak at the coffee machine.”

Want to know more about what a union can do for you? See our explanatory animation. Everything will be clear within two minutes. If you become a member now, you can benefit from our temporary action: if you remain a member for at least one year, we will support you during labour disputes, without the normal waiting time of six months. Click here or contact us at 040-211 6222.

**VHP2: Going further, together **