Collective Labour Agreements (CLA) in Tilburg and the surrounding area often provide additional severance payments alongside the statutory transition compensation. Article 7:673(12) of the Dutch Civil Code stipulates that CLA arrangements take precedence if they are more favourable to the employee. For example, the metal industry CLA in the Tilburg region applies the 'old' compensation of one month's salary per year of service, cumulatively with the transition compensation – ideal for employees at companies such as ASML or local metal factories.
Key sectors in Tilburg include: Construction (Construction CLA: additional payments on top of transition compensation, relevant for the numerous construction projects around the Spoorzone), Healthcare (at institutions such as ETZ Hospital: up to 1.5 months per year of service), and Education (specific transition funds at Fontys University of Applied Sciences). Verify your CLA via the CLA finder at cao.nl or consult the local FNV office in Tilburg. For settlement agreements (VSO) in the region, the total arrangement must not be less favourable than the transition compensation plus any equitable compensation.
In 2025, CLAs in North Brabant will remain flexible, with the Transition Compensation Reimbursement Act encouraging employers in Tilburg to establish funds for long-term employment, particularly in the thriving manufacturing industry. Benefits include higher payouts, outplacement services via regional agencies, and improved labour market positioning in the city. Drawback: more complex calculations due to local variations.
Tip: Contact the trade union in Tilburg for support in negotiations, such as CNV or FNV Loket on Korvellaan. In case of disputes, the subdistrict court in 's-Hertogenbosch will decide based on the CLA text, taking regional practices into account.