Members of The New Union (DNV) should have more power, says Jetta Klijnsma, who headed a commission to get the internally-divided FNV confederation of unions back on track. She has called for more democratisation within the movement, so that members have more influence at all levels.

The FNV union has been in disarray recently since the organisation split over govrnment proposals to raise the pension age.

Ms Klijnsma wants to set up a members’ parliament within the new organisation, with an elected chair and more room for referendums. Members should also be able to call a referendum.

By setting up a new union, the FNV hopes to put an end to the internal rows. FNV chair Agnes Jongerius agreed to a deal with employers to raise the pensionable age. However, the decision was strongly opposed by the two largest FNV affiliate unions: Bondgenoten and Abvakabo. Ms Jongerius will not stand as a candidate to lead the DNV.

Ms Klijnsma thinks members will have to decide for themselves how they want to be organised, be it according to their trade, sector, region, generation or any other category.

(nc/imm)

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