The FNV, the country's key union federation, has been going through a crisis for a year. Federations rebelling, others leaving, one of the key stakeholders of the polder system is currently refocusing to find a democratic balance it apparently needed. Ronald Dekker, industrial relations professor at the Tilburg University, is telling Planet Labor about the crisis the largest union organization in the Netherlands, the Dutch Labor Federation (FNV) has been going through. (Ref. 120626)
- Why is the former FNV, currently reforming its structure, still unable to impose its new name, The New Federation (De Nieuwe Vakbeweging, DNV)?
Ronald Dekker. Because the name is temporary and is line with a transformation that isn’t over. The current reform is the result of a major conflict within the FNV on the pension reform, with retirement age going from 65 up to 67. The union
signed an agreement with the government even though its two biggest affiliates – Abvakabo (civil servants) an
Do you have information to share with us?