Metal industry collective bargaining agreement changes as of 1 January 2024

As of 1 January 2024, a new national collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the metal industry will come into effect. This CBA will replace the 78 existing regional CBAs applicable to the non-cadres as well as the (already national) one for Cadres et ingénieurs.

These changes will impact all employers as the new CBA will apply to all on-going employment contracts.

The most important points of attention:

• If there is a company or group agreement, it is possible that certain provisions in these agreements come in conflict with the new CBA provisions and therefore will no longer apply. It is thus important to review company/group agreements in light of the new CBA and determine which provisions of the agreement will remain applicable and which ones will be replaced by the new CBA
• The new collective bargaining agreement contains a new classification. This needs to be applied to all employees via a special procedure.
• The new CBA provides revised provisions on mobility, trial period, severance pay, working hours, absences, and social protection of employees.

Floris DAATSELAAR
Amstel & Seine Avocats