The two biggest trade unions in the FNV federation are demanding their own place at the table during further talks on pension reform, the NRC reports.

The unions have written a confidential letter to social affairs minister Henk Kamp and employers leader Bernard Wientjes, stating the federation is embroiled in a leadership crisis which justifies a more active role for them.
Last week, the FNV board voted in favour of the reforms, even though the civil service union Abvakabo and general workers union Bondgenoten are opposed. They represent more than half the federation’s membership.

Investment strategy
The reforms allocate a larger role in determining the social aspects and investment strategy of corporate pension funds. The dissident unions say there is a real risk that pensions will become too dependent on stock exchange movements.
Bondgenoten and Abvakabo also say they should be carrying out these negotiations on behalf of their own members. Nine of the 20 pay and conditions sector-wide deals negotiated by the FNV involve Bondgenoten and Abvakabo.
The unions have already stated they have no confidence in federation leader Agnes Jongerius.