CLA UMC news: what changes for PhD candidates?

A new collective labour agreement (CLA) for the University Medical Centers (UMCs) has been reached between the unions and UMCNL. Several issues relevant to PhD candidates were discussed, and we are pleased to announce an important development: as of April 1, all new onderzoekers in opleiding (OIOs) will be granted an employment contract for the full duration of their PhD trajectory. In principle, this means a four-year contract based on full-time employment (1.0 FTE). This marks a significant step toward ensuring fair and optimal conditions for the timely completion of PhD projects. Together with our partners, we will continue to advocate for extension of this provision to arts-onderzoekers within the UMCs as well.In addition, three other provisions are particularly relevant for PhD candidates:

1. A structural salary increase of 3.5% effective July 1, 2026, followed by an additional 3.5% increase from May 1, 2027.
2. The promotiebonus (a €750 bonus awarded upon completing the PhD within the contract period), previously available only to OIOs, will now also apply to arts-onderzoekers.
3. Student loan repayment will be included in the Work-Related Costs Scheme (WKR). This allows employees to repay student debt through a gross-to-net arrangement with a tax advantage.

We are very pleased with this outcome and would like to thank everyone who contributed to achieving it. Our board member Aranka van Wesemael played a key role in advocating for PhD candidates in discussions with the unions and UMCNL. She was supported by our local PhD organizations through LOUP (the national platform for UMC PhD candidates), as well as by the many PhD candidates who shared their concerns, priorities, and experiences.If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Aranka via ziekenhuizen@hetpnn.nl