The Enterprise Chamber has intervened in the crisis-ridden FNV (Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging), the largest trade union in the Netherlands, appointing external supervisors to restore order. This unprecedented move signals a deep-seated inability of the union to resolve its internal issues.

According to Paul de Beer, a seasoned labor market expert and former “union professor,” the core issue within the FNV is the persistent tension between negotiation and activism, a conflict that has existed since the early days of the Dutch labor movement.

De Beer highlights a fundamental flaw in the 2015 reorganization of the FNV, where seven unions were merged into one in an attempt to resolve internal conflicts. He argues that merging unions with fundamentally different approaches did not eliminate the underlying disagreements, leading to further internal strife. He had suggested that splitting the union into two camps based on differing ideologies might have been a better solution.

The declining membership of unions is a major concern. The percentage of the working population that is a union member has dropped significantly since the early 2000s. At the same time, the legal regulation of the labor market has been limited, leading to the growth of flexible work and self-employment. This creates a situation where the labor movement’s influence is waning, potentially leading to a vicious cycle of further decline.

To address this, De Beer suggests exploring alternative membership models, drawing inspiration from political parties. He proposes a system where workers can vote for the union they want to represent them in collective labor agreement negotiations.

The aging membership base of the FNV is another significant challenge. As the workforce ages, the interests of older members tend to dominate, leading to younger members feeling unrepresented and dropping out. This creates a cycle where the union becomes increasingly focused on the needs of pensioners.

De Beer emphasizes the need for radical change within the FNV to avoid a scenario where unions become irrelevant. He warns that continuing on the current path could lead to the demise of the labor movement.