Kralendijk- A relatively large number of employees from Fundashon Mariadal turned out this morning at the gathering, called by the AFWB Union in front of the Hospital. The Union and employees are disgruntled about the fact that discussions about salary increases are put off by Management of the Foundation.

According to AFBW president Nilco Rolan, little progress has been made with the negotiations for a new Collective Labor Agreement. “As soon as we touched the subject of salaries, the negotiations came to a grinding halt”, said Rolan.

What irks the Union is the fact that large investments are made in the facilities of the hospital and other unites managed by Fundashon Mariadal, but that there is -according to Management- little or no space for better salaries for the employees.

Rolan called on the employees to be responsible during the industrial action. “Care is a very sensitive sector. We have to be responsible and avoid that we are criticized for endangering the care at the institution”, according to the Union leader.

Judging on the number employees at the gathering this morning, there is much support for the industrial action. Fundhashon Mariadal is one of the bigger employers on the island with over 600 employees.