The Dutch Federation of Trade Unions (FNV) is facing a significant crisis, prompting intervention from the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court. External supervisors have been appointed to restore order within the organization, marking a critical moment for the largest trade union federation in the Netherlands.

The underlying issue stems from a long-standing tension between “poldering” (negotiation and compromise) and “fighting” within the labor movement. This conflict pits the union’s professional staff, who favor compromise, against a members’ parliament representing more activist members who prefer direct action and are often dissatisfied with agreements reached in The Hague.

A reorganization in 2015, intended to resolve earlier crises, may have inadvertently exacerbated the problem. The merger of seven unions into one “undivided FNV” failed to eliminate fundamental disagreements, leading to internal strife and a perception of betrayal among members with differing opinions.

Compounding these internal challenges is a decline in union membership. Since the beginning of the century, union membership has decreased significantly, now representing only 15 percent of the workforce. This decline weakens the union’s ability to achieve its goals and creates a vicious cycle where fewer members lead to less influence and further membership attrition.

The labor market’s increasing deregulation, the growth of flexible work, and the availability of cheap labor due to open European borders have further diminished the union’s strength. The FNV’s weakened position threatens to create a larger unregulated labor market, resembling conditions of the 19th century.

To address these challenges, alternative membership models are being considered. One suggestion involves a system where workers vote for the trade union they want to negotiate their collective labor agreement, giving young people a greater voice. This approach aims to address the aging membership base and ensure that the union represents the interests of all workers.

The FNV’s focus on pension issues has also contributed to the decline in younger members, as their interests are often overshadowed by those of older members. This demographic shift further reinforces the need for radical change to ensure the long-term viability of the Dutch labor movement.