In a bid to maintain their position, trade unions in the Netherlands are looking for different ways to attract new members. The two trade unions, De Unie and CNV Dienstenbond, have set up a low-cost, low-threshold Internet-based union. Earlier, as an alternative to conventional membership, the Dutch Trade Union Federation (FNV) introduced a much cheaper option in the form of ‘donorship’ in the hotel, restaurant and catering industry.
The Dutch General Independent Union (De Unie) and the Services Workers’ Union (CNV Dienstenbond) have set up a cheaper, low threshold Internet-based union. In doing so, they are offering new options to employees who wish to be affiliated to a union but who do not want full membership. Standard, income-linked union membership fees cost at least €15 a month, which includes free legal aid in labour disputes and financial strike fund deposits. By contrast, donors to the Hotel and Catering Workers’ Union (FNV horecabond) avail of a cheaper rate, but must make separate deposits into a fund in the event of a strike.
Online information exchange
The Internet-based union, Internetvakbond.nl, established by the De Unie trade union, is primarily a source of information or type of helpdesk. The intention, however, is that the union will also participate in collective bargaining. In addition to its Internet-based union, De Unie has also set up another website, ruziemetdebaas.nl. This free website gives employees and managers an opportunity to exchange information on issues regarding labour relations and disputes. It also contains several recommendations on how to avoid conflicts in the workplace.
Non-conventional representation
These unique initiatives have partly arisen following the formation of the Alternative Labour Union (Alternatief Voor Vakbond, AVV), which rejects the conventional trade union movement and focuses on the needs of young, non-union workers, independent freelancers and European workers in the Netherlands. The union currently has a membership base of 1,700 employees, and its annual membership fee is €10 (NL0510103F).
De Unie’s Internet union aims to represent non-union employees, corresponding to 75% of the more than seven million employees in the Netherlands. According to its own description, the union targets employees who wish to develop their skills, providing them with support in this endeavour. Chair of De Unie, Jacques Teuwen, refers to this group as the Internet generation. As well as young people, the group also includes those on flexible contracts or self-employed individuals without employees. The people concerned are mostly aged over 35 years, have already some of their career behind them and want union membership from an insurance perspective. Mr Teuwen also hopes to target women and non-nationals who have not previously been interested in joining traditional unions.
For €10 a year, Internet union members can consult the helpdesk once, for example, with a question about terms and conditions of employment or about a potential conflict with their employer. Subsequent questions will cost the member €10 each time. The union also offers employment-related services, such as training programmes or career counselling, for which members are allowed a 10% discount. Members and non-members can share their views on the site, and these opinions are gathered as input for collective bargaining.
Alliances with existing unions
In terms of concluding collective agreements, the union seeks alliances with existing unions, such as its founder, De Unie. The latter is separate from the Internet union. However, De Unie wants people who work for it to give their full cooperation to the new union. By making use of the existing infrastructure, the new union can keep down its membership costs. Mr Teuwen expects that the organisation’s feasibility will become apparent within three years, and hopes to attract more than 5,000 members within the first year. He does not expect that the traditional members of De Unie – totalling 80,000 members – will join the Internet union; on the contrary, the Internet union could serve as a stepping stone to De Unie membership.
Representativeness of unions
These initiatives come in response to the dwindling membership figures of trade unions. For example, FNV’s membership fell by 1.7% in 2004 to just under 1.2 million members. Nevertheless, the unions remain in discussion as partners with employers in forming collective agreements, representing the interests of the associated employees.
The representativeness of the trade union movement is regularly questioned. Until recently, broad-based employee survey results served as the movement’s only defence. These findings show that a vast majority of employees support the unions’ standpoints. Based on studies into representativeness, the Ministry of Social Affairs came to the same conclusion. While the unions may have fewer members than before, they still represent a substantial proportion of employees. By setting up Internet unions, the traditional unions are exploring new membership possibilities.
Marianne Grünell, Hugo Sinzheimer Institute (HSI), Amsterdam