The 2019-2020 draft sector agreement for Joint Committee 104 (steel industry) has been concluded

The JC 104 (steel industry) has concluded a draft sector agreement for the period 2019-2020. This agreement of 24 May 2019 respects the maximum negotiating envelope of 1.1% in 2019-2020 in accordance with the Royal Decree of 24 April 2019 implementing article 7, §1 of the Law of 26 July 1996 on the promotion of employment and the preventive protection of competitiveness.

Below, you will find a brief overview of the main elements of this sector agreement. A detailed analysis will be made available in our sector documentation.

Fulfilling of the wage margin

In 2019-2020, following company negotiations, the social partners will be able to assess the sectoral minimum wage according to the wage increases granted by the companies.

The negotiations are expected to result in an agreement by 31 October 2019.

Leave of absence

• Renewal of the CLA of 29 June 2009
• Granting of a day of leave of absence for the signature of the legal cohabitation agreement

Transport costs

• Public transport: 70% the employer's contribution in season tickets for public transport organised by SNCB on 1 July 2019 + full reimbursement for workers living less than 5 km from the workplace
• Public transport: other: renewal

Time credit

Extension of the sectoral CLA of 9 June 2017 for 2019-2020: maximum extension of the right to time credit for healthcare reasons to 51 months.

End-of-career time credit

Extension of end-of-career jobs for long careers or arduous occupations from age 55 (scheme 4/5) and from age 57 (half-time scheme).

Unemployment scheme with company supplement (RCC)

The sectoral social partners have agreed to adhere to the framework CLAs with regard to RCC concluded within the CNT, including the provisions on maintaining the age condition and the possibility of exemption from availability:

• RCC arduous occupations with 33 years of career;
• RCC arduous occupations with 35 years of career;
• RCC long career (40 years).

Training

• Increase of the minimum number of training days from 2 to 3 days on average per year per full-time equivalent.
• Better promotion of the role of tutoring / sponsorship as a tool for knowledge sharing by ensuring that it matches the duties performed (by the tutor) in line with the attractiveness needs of the sector in order to ensure the optimal transmission of knowledge and know-how.

Sustainable Employability

Working group dedicated to the difficulty of work and transformation (digitalisation): scope of work extended to themes such as feasible or sustainable work, career extension, robotics,...

Duration of the agreement

From 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020.

The sector agreement will only be final after it has been published on the FPS ETCS website. We will keep you informed.

Source : Draft Sector Agreement 2019-2020 (JC 104.00) - 24.05.2019