Dutch union drops strike action in favour of negotiations
White collar union De Unie is to stop organising strikes, saying they are useless, expensive and a nuisance to ordinary people.
The union took the decision at its first members’ meeting of the year.
Chairman Reinier Castelein told BNR radio that talking to employers is more productive than striking. ‘Even if there is a strike, you always end up round the table,’ he said. ‘Then you might as well have stayed there in the first place.’
De Unie has some 70,000 members, concentrated in manufacturing, services and the civil service.
Ton Heerts, chairman of the biggest Dutch union federation FNV told the Financieele Dagblad a union which does not strike is like a ‘tiger without teeth’.
The right to strike is crucial to trade unions and that is why it is anchored in the constitution, Heerts said.
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