Unions become involved in financial services and training

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In August 1999, several Dutch trade union organisations announced plans to support their members with financial advice and professional education, thus further developing the role of unions away from their traditional collective bargaining function.

In the early 1980s, Dutch trade unions started a trend by assuming other responsibilities in addition to their traditional involvement in matters such as negotiating conditions of employment in collective agreements. The interwoven relationship between the trade unions and the Dutch "polder model" of of consensus and consultation allowed the unions to become involved in matters that were previously exclusively reserved for the government, such as employee training and combating unemployment. In August 1999, the trade unions' expansion beyond their traditional role received fresh impetus, with moves to provide financial services and professional education.

On 4 August, the Dutch Trade Union Federation (Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging, FNV), the Netherlands' largest union confederation, announced a plan to offer its members support in building up their assets through shares, options and profit-sharing programmes. This action was inspired by the fact that a growing number of employees own company shares and options: FNV estimates that 20% of its members hold shares. FNV's financial advice centres will now offer members assistance in the accumulation of assets through options, shares and profit-sharing schemes, and furnish advice on financing sabbatical leave and early retirement. These centres will refer members to selected banks and insurers for specific advice on investment strategies and savings plans. FNV does not rule out the possibility that the centres will eventually enter into contracts with major asset and pension managers. FNV believes that the recommendations these centres provide can eventually serve to narrow the gap between rich and poor.

In early August, the De Unie trade union proposed a plan for its own higher professional education programme for personnel in large multinationals. De Unie's goal is to set up its own business school for the advancement of technical middle-management development. In this context, the union aims to collaborate with counterpart unions in the UK, Norway and Australia. De Unie sees this training as a logical step in employee career development.