Limburg unions want more protection from dismissal: ‘Fight discrimination against employers’

As expected, Unizo’s proposal to limit protection against dismissal was not well received by trade unions. “We have no interest in putting people who cut corners on our union electoral list,” says Geert Stegmans of the ACLVB. “There should be more protection against dismissal, because thanks to these measures employees are able to protect themselves from dismissal,” says Anders Vanderecken from the ABVV. are protected from discrimination.”

In recent days, Unizo Limburg’s Bart Lodewix put forward Unizo’s position in favor of reducing dismissal protection. “Four new types have been added to this legislature, bringing the total to 26,” he says. “With social elections, a lot of non-elected candidates will again be protected for four years. It is time to put limits on this.”

The proposal failed among the unions. “Firing protection exists to protect employees who are doing their best against employer arbitrariness, and this protection is more important than ever,” says Geert Stegmans, regional secretary of the liberal trade union ACLVB.

Union secretary Anders Vanderecken from the ABVV General Center was not impressed with Unizo’s request. “It’s something that comes up regularly, and it’s not a coincidence at a time of social elections,” says Vandereken. “It is striking that the request comes from an organization that brings together mainly companies where no social elections are held.”

Both unions strongly deny that employees put themselves on an electoral list so as not to be fired. “We have no interest in listing people who cut corners,” says Stegmans. “Ultimately, this turns against us. At the end of the day, people who are not motivated will not be re-elected.” Candidates on the lists are also being vetted, adds Anders Vandereken.

discrimination
Vandereken is not asking for less protection, but for more protection. “Ultimately, thanks to these measures, employees are protected from discrimination.” The two unionists also point out that employers are increasingly turning to court if they want to dismiss a trade unionist. “If the judge then rules against them, the urgent reason is suddenly no longer urgent enough and the employee is rehired – if he so desires -” testify Anders Vandereken and Gert Stegmans. “But whether this is good for mutual trust is another matter.”