The Netherlands’ three biggest trade unions are working on a plan to form their own federation and wrestle power away from FNV chairwoman Agnes Jongerius, the Telegraaf reports on Monday.

The paper has obtained a copy of a draft agreement between the general workers’ union Bondgenoten, civil service union Abvakabo and construction workers’ union FNV Bouw which outlines their intention to form a ‘federation of equals’.
The plan is due to be discussed at Tuesday’s meeting of the Abvakabo council.
Abvakabo and Bondgenoten said earlier this year they have no confidence in Jongerius over her handling of the new pension deal. Even though Abvakabo and Bondgenoten members were opposed to the deal and account for the majority of FNV members, Jongerius voted in favour of the pension reforms.
A spokesman for Bondgenoten told the Telegraaf the concept agreement should not be seen as an attempt to seize power, but as the result of talks on modernising the union federation which have been going on for some time.