The total number of people who are members of a trade union continues declined. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS) the proportion of women is increasing. In March 2017 the statistics agency totalled 1.7 million union members – 15,000 less than last year. Although the declining trend stagnates, there have been a decreasing number of members since 2012. On the other hand, the proportion of female members increased. In March 2017, over 650,000 women were members, 8,000 more than a year earlier. Growth is mostly achieved in the age range of 45 years and over. The number of male members decreased by almost 23,000 to about 1.1 million members.
The number of members decreased in nearly all age groups, says Statistics Netherlands. Only under the age of 65, the number of people remained the same. According to the researchers, people who are members and have the highest value of unions include bus drivers, tram drivers, police, caregivers, cleaners and construction workers. "The higher the level of professionalism, the less important the unions are considered," says Statistics Netherlands. Thus, three quarters of the directors find the unions 'not important'.
The Union
"On the day that the Ruth III Cabinet, which does not belong to a union-friendly political party is reporting, the CBS reports that fewer and fewer people are members of a trade union. That can hardly be a coincidence," says Reinier Castelein of trade union De Unie.
Castelein would like to see more media attention for the good things that members get. ''As such, job agency Randstad, with 4,500 permanent employees, has got its own trade union. It already has three hundred members."
The fact that women have just arrived at 8,000 union members remains underexposed. The fact that many women, especially between the ages of 45 and 65, join a union does not come as a surprise to the Union president. "Many men have recently lost their jobs and found lower paid jobs. In order to save it financially as a family, the need for the female partner to work is essential."
''We have such a high level of prosperity in the Netherlands and yet there is much dissatisfaction. Trade unions are well able to take away that inconvenience by involving everyone, including the unemployed, into society," said Castelein.
Translated by Maybeline Whitter
Source:
https://www.nu.nl/carriere/4978766/aantal-vakbondsleden-blijft-dalen.html