New 2-year KPN collective labor agreement: 8.5% average pay increase in 2 years and more freedom of choice for all employees

KPN and all unions reached a negotiating result on a new KPN collective labor agreement (CLA) on January 11, 2024. Subject to the approval of the union members, the CLA will come into effect on January 1, 2024 for a period of two years. The CLA offers employees more freedom of choice on important current topics such as repaying student debt, free time, vitality and sustainability. Of course, a salary increase has also been agreed. 

Five generations 
Hilde Garssen, Chief People Officer and member of the Board of Directors of KPN: “I am very happy with this result. There is something to choose from in the new CLA for each of the five generations that work at KPN. Do you want more choice when taking days off, saving for your pension or investing in KPN? This is possible with this CLA. It makes KPN even more attractive as an employer. When formulating the CLA, we took expressly into account the results of the survey about the employment conditions package, in which our employees indicated what they consider important." 

Student debt, sustainability and contribution to employee vitality 
In the new CLA, employees have a range of choices available, appropriate to their stage of life, to which KPN contributes a maximum of half financially. For example, the choice to repay EUR 5,000 on your student debt in a tax-friendly manner every two years. You can also opt to make your home more sustainable once every three years with solar panels, a heat pump or insulation for a gross amount of euro 5,000. In addition, the CLA includes extras that contribute to the vitality of employees, such as sports from gross wages up to euro 1,250 per year . Since August 2023, KPN employees have already received 40 cents net compensation per kilometer cycled and KPN contributes to a lease bicycle. 

More control in work-life balance and buy KPN shares 
Other choices include a sabbatical partly paid for by KPN or purchasing virtual KPN shares with a bonus after 3 years. In the area of work-life balance and leave, KPN chooses to let employees decide for themselves as much as possible how to deal with leave. There is no longer a fixed number of vacation days and vacation days are no longer registered. The additional maternity (partner) leave is also fully paid. 

Wage 
The new CLA provides for a collective wage increase of an average of 8.5% over two years. In 2024 an average of 5.5%. And in 2025 an average of 3%. For the highest scales, the collective wage increase over two years is 7.5% and for the lowest scales it is 9.25%. Other components include an improvement in individual salary increases and a fixed 13th month instead of variable remuneration. Finally, agreements have been made about an increase in the pension premium by 2% for the period from 2026 for the new Future Pensions Act.