collective bargaining agreements
Whether you work in a theater, museum, pop venue, or art education center, collective labor agreements (CLAs) often determine the terms and conditions of employment, remuneration, and development. For employees, they form the basis of their terms of employment, but even as a self-employed person or creator, you will sooner or later have to deal with them, for example because you want to base your rates on the prevailing wages in your sector. In this article, you can read about what collective labor agreements are and what they mean for your employment status.
What is a collective bargaining agreement?
A collective labor agreement (CLA) is a written agreement between employers and employees (or employee organizations) regarding terms of employment such as wages, working hours, vacation, pensions, and training. Within the cultural sector, these agreements are important for ensuring fair and transparent terms of employment, from theaters to museums and art education. Self-employed workers are not usually directly covered by a CLA, but may be indirectly affected by it, for example when collaborating with institutions that apply a CLA or when determining a fair rate.
How do collective bargaining agreements work?
A collective labor agreement (CLA) lays the foundation for the employment relationship in a sector or organization. The agreements apply to everyone covered by the CLA, even if they have not been individually agreed upon in a contract. They ensure equality, clarity, and legal protection.
Employers and employee organizations negotiate these agreements together. In the cultural sector, trade unions such as Kunstenbond and CNV Kunst en Cultuur do so on behalf of employees, while industry associations such as NAPK, VSCD, or Cultuurconnectie represent employers.
💡 Tip: even as a freelancer, you can base your rates or terms and conditions on the collective labor agreement for your discipline — that way, you can work in accordance with Fair Pay.
What collective labor agreements are there in the cultural sector?
According to Werken voor Cultuur, these are the most common collective labor agreements:
- Collective labor agreement for theater and dance – for employees of professional theater and dance companies.
- Collective labor agreement for Dutch theaters – for employees of theaters and concert halls.
- Collective labor agreement for music venues and festivals – for employees of pop venues, festivals, and concert halls.
- Collective labor agreement Museum – for museum staff.
- Collective labor agreement for arts education – for teachers and staff in art education, adult education centers, and arts centers.
- Collective labor agreement for orchestras – for musicians from Dutch symphony orchestras.
- Collective labor agreement for music ensembles – for musicians and ensemble staff.
- Collective labor agreement for public libraries – for library staff.
A complete overview can be found on Digipacct's collective labor agreement map and on CAO Rijk.
How can you exert influence?
As a union member, you can have a say in collective bargaining agreements. Unions organize consultation sessions, member meetings, and surveys to gather input. Your voice helps determine where the focus lies: for example, on wage increases, work pressure, inclusion, or training.
Various trade unions play a role in negotiating and establishing collective labor agreements. The following two are particularly relevant to the cultural sector:
- The Creative Coalition is an umbrella organization for more than 45 interest groups. Use their membership guide to find out which union or organization best suits your work.
- Cao Kunsteducatie | Cultuurconnectie is the trade association for cultural education, amateur arts, and adult education. Worth checking out if you are a teacher, for example.
💡 Tip: On Beroep Kunstenaar (Artist Profession) you will find practical information about employment conditions, collective labor agreements, and entrepreneurship in the cultural sector—useful if you want to know what agreements or rates are customary within your discipline.