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Bus Washers Deserve Better: Unions Demand Action
Table of Contents
- 1. Bus Washers Deserve Better: Unions Demand Action
- 2. What are the specific demands of the CNV regarding the working conditions of bus washers employed by HSU in Friesland?
- 3. Bus Washers Deserve Better: Union Demands Fair Treatment
- 4. How urgent is the situation for bus washers in Friesland right now?
- 5. what specific demands has CNV put forward to the province and Qbuzz?
- 6. What other concerns have been raised about the working conditions for bus washers?
- 7. Qbuzz has stated they are committed to responsible practices. Do you believe that commitment extends to bus washers?
The transition of bus transport in Friesland to Qbuzz has raised concerns for the workers responsible for keeping the buses clean adn operational—the “bus washers.” According to Jan Kampherbeek, a negotiator for the trade union CNV, the situation for these cleaners is dire.
“This is a group of vulnerable employees who are now being controlled by cleaning company HSU,” Kampherbeek states.
The shift in bus transport, while bringing numerous new challenges, has seemingly overlooked the plight of these essential workers. CNV argues that HSU, the company contracted by Qbuzz to manage the bus washers, is exploiting the vulnerabilities of these employees.
“The situation has worked out especially badly for bus washers,” Kampherbeek explains. “Qbuzz has worked with another cleaning company, HSU, which unfortunatly does not take any account of the vulnerable background of many of these cleaners. We see that they are offered uncertain temporary contracts, with changing hours and other schedules and workplaces. HSU makes a game of it, we are angry about that. We have been asking for this as November and now want the province and Qbuzz to take action.”
CNV has taken action by sending letters outlining their demands to both the province of Friesland and qbuzz. They are calling for specific agreements to be made by February 1st to address the issues.
“As a client, the province and Qbuzz are jointly responsible that HSU treats the cleaners in a neat way, with permanent contracts and better schedules. Given the background of the bus washers, we also think that the province has an extra responsibility to protect this group,” Kampherbeek asserts.
Beyond contract security,CNV is also demanding improvements to the working environment. “At the moment the bus washers are doing their work outside, such as on abandoned industrial sites in drachten and Leeuwarden. It is indeed not a healthy working environment, cold and wet. We want the province and Qbuzz to ensure better working conditions, so that the cleaners can do it in a cover or preferably,” Kampherbeek concludes.
What are the specific demands of the CNV regarding the working conditions of bus washers employed by HSU in Friesland?
Bus Washers Deserve Better: Union Demands Fair Treatment
The recent shift to Qbuzz in Friesland’s bus transport system has brought concerns about the welfare of the frequently enough overlooked “bus washers” responsible for maintaining the fleet. Jan Kampherbeek, a negotiator for the trade union CNV, sat down wiht Archyde to shed light on the challenging situation these essential workers are facing.
How urgent is the situation for bus washers in Friesland right now?
“This is a group of very vulnerable employees who are now controlled by a subsidiary of a cleaning company called HSU, assembled for this specific purpose. The issue is that HSU simply isn’t protecting the interests of these cleaners. We’re seeing lots of uncertainty with temporary contracts, constantly changing work schedules and locations. It’s almost like HSU is making a game out of their situation, which is deeply concerning and unacceptable. We’ve been raising this issue since November and now need the province and Qbuzz to step in and take action,” asserted Kampherbeek.
what specific demands has CNV put forward to the province and Qbuzz?
“Firstly, we need clear, binding agreements by February 1st regarding these cleaners’ situation. We’re demanding permanent contracts for these workers, along with stable and predictable work schedules,” Kampherbeek explained. “Secondly, as a client, the province and Qbuzz are directly responsible for ensuring HSU treats these workers with respect. Considering the vulnerable background of many bus washers, we believe the province has an extra obligation to protect this group.”
What other concerns have been raised about the working conditions for bus washers?
“The current situation is simply not safe or healthy for these workers,” Kampherbeek stated. “Many are forced to work outdoors, on abandoned industrial sites in Drachten and Leeuwarden, exposed to the elements. It’s cold, wet, and unsuitable. We’re demanding better working conditions – at the very least, access to a designated covered area for them to perform their duties.”
Qbuzz has stated they are committed to responsible practices. Do you believe that commitment extends to bus washers?
“While Qbuzz states its dedication to responsible practices, their commitment can only be judged by their actions,” Kampherbeek argued. “Will they stand by their words and ensure that this vulnerable group of workers is treated with dignity and respect, or will they allow HSU to continue exploiting their situation?”