van het Kaar, Robbert

All three main trade union confederations in the Netherlands witnessed a slight net increase in their membership in 1998. Meanwhile, FNV Bondgenoten, the largest Dutch union - the result of a merger in 1998 - announced a major reorganisation in January 1999.

This record reviews 1998's main developments in industrial relations in The Netherlands

A Dutch court ruling on 8 December 1998 ended an unofficial "wildcat" strike held by a group of railway employees in the north-east of the Netherlands. The employees had been demanding a clear statement on their long-term pay.

In late November 1998, KPN Telecom reached an agreement with trade unions in the Netherlands on the company's far-reaching reorganisation plans. Initially, union members' reactions to the agreement varied widely. However, a slightly amended plan was subsequently accepted.

On 18 November 1998, Cor Boonstra, the chief executive officer of the giant electronics group, Philips, explained to trade unions why the number of company factories would be cut by a third worldwide. Earlier, Mr Boonstra's announcement of the restructuring in the UK /Financial Times/ caused a huge uproar amongst the unions, whose members felt "ambushed" (NL9811106F [1]). Following consultations, however, the unions indicated understanding of the plans. Regular consultative relations were restored when Mr Boonstra criticised his own handling of the announcement. [1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined/wave-of-reorganisations-at-major-dutch-groups-an-end-to-the-polder-model

In mid-November 1998, the chemicals groupAkzo Nobel announced plans to eliminate 200 jobs at its central research divisions in Arnhem and Deventer in the Netherlands. Factors precipitating the reorganisation include the recent takeover by Akzo of the British company, Courtaulds, and a decision drastically to decentralise research projects at Akzo. As a result, researchers will soon be dispatched to separate company departments. Akzo employs 7,000 researchers worldwide. The central research divisions employ a total of 1,400 researchers, of whom 900 work in Arnhem and Deventer.

Negotiations over a redundancy plan to accompany the closure of Kodak's production plant at Soestduinen in the Netherlands were broken off at the beginning of September 1998. However, following a threat by employees to take the company to court, Kodak reached an agreement in principle with trade unions.

During summer 1998, Dutch employers in agriculture and market gardening are having to contend with labour shortages during harvesting, and are pressing for liberalisation of regulations. Shortages in this sector, as well as in other sectors, such as the hotel and catering industry, can be explained in part by the relatively poor terms of employment.

Under a deal reached in August 1998, employees at the ABN Amro bank in the Netherlands will receive an employment guarantee if they agree to a work and training plan during negotiations with their departmental heads.

Trade unions and the works council are opposing the intended closure of Kodak's plant in Soest in the Netherlands, announced in August 1998.