Enkele kanttekeningen bij het probleem van leiding en leden in de vakbeweging

Samenvatting

An examination of the relations between the leaders of labor unions and their membership under the new economic circumstances. The political emancipation of Dutch workers, as expressed in their right to vote, preceded by many yrs the emancipation of their labor unions, which were not recognized as equal partners of the employers until 1945. In the affluent society that was established after WWII, the labor unions lost a number of functions (protest in class struggle; defense In class struggle; social demands which were granted by the welfare state; mass actions; political aims; insurance against unemployment taken over by the state) and acquired others (responsibility for the welfare of society as a whole; political influence; participation in international affairs; participation in welfare activities; full employment; educational and cultural work). The Dutch unions have become more centralized through parallel processes of integration and concentration (in 1940, 763,871 members of 224 unions; in 1954, 1,163,219 members of 192 unions; the mean/average union membership rose from 3,410 to 6,060). Negotiation of labor contracts has shifted from individual unions to national organzations. There has been an increase of tensions within the unions, esp re new membership, which lacks the experience of prewar labor struggles. There have even been strikes of union members against the leaders' advice, eg in Amsterdam (Mar-Apr 1955). Such tensions are the natural accompaniment of growth; they can be best eased by pedagogical action. I. Langnas.