van het Kaar, Robbert
Union membership rises, while largest union announces reorganisation
27 January 1999
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.
1998 Annual Review for The Netherlands
27 December 1998
This record reviews 1998's main developments in industrial relations in The
Netherlands
Court bans wildcat strike on railways
27 December 1998
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.
KPN Telecom redundancy plan accepted
27 December 1998
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.
Philips consults Dutch unions over reorganisation
27 November 1998
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
Akzo cuts 200 research jobs
27 November 1998
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.
Kodak redundancy plan agreed following threat of court case
27 September 1998
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.
Labour shortages in sectors with poor terms of employment
27 August 1998
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.
Agreement on employability and employment security at ABN Amro
27 August 1998
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.
Kodak wants to close its plant in Soest
27 August 1998
Trade unions and the works council are opposing the intended closure of
Kodak's plant in Soest in the Netherlands, announced in August 1998.