De rol van de vakbeweging bij de afbouw van de mijnindustrie

Abstract

Since 1945 the Catholic Federation, together with the Netherlands Catholic Mining Union (NKMB, 65 per cent organized personnel) and the Catholic Union of Mining Officials (KVM, 85 per cent organized) requested the Government repeatedly to define its point of view regarding the difficulties of the mining industry. The author, chairman of the KVM, describes the active influence which the Federation exerts on the restructuring of the mining region, a logical consequence of the good and positive relationship that has prevailed for years between employers and employees in the mining industry. The role of the Trade Unions was in this manner formerly recognized by the authorities. Trade Unions were involved in policy making for the mine closures, the resulting personnel reductions and the control thereof. They also contributed positively to the re-industrialization of the region. The one-sided industrialization over the Iast 70 years in Southern Limburg had brought about a mono-culture; that dislocation of the work and living environment and the end of prosperity should be avoided was a subject of much concern to the Federation' The guiding principle therefore was that the shutdown of the mines should only be organized in such a way that equivalent employment opportunities would be available. This problem both qualitatively and quantitatively is unique in the Netherlands, involving directly or indirectly some 300,000 people. The unions themselves assumed responsibility for these events and their consequences. They worked closely together with the Government and employers to achieve the best results. Much personal grief still remains, however, it is only fair to mention that at least partly due to the role of the unions, the Netherlands is the only country in the Common Market where the shutdown of mines has been organized within a framework of restructuring, embracing the whole of the industry and including a social planning for all personnel. Labor participates in these matters through its representation on the Council of Guidance which is mentioned by Mr. Hellemans in his paper. Common Market people agree that a lot of good work has been done. Special attention is given to the financial repercussions, in particular regarding pensions. The unions assist their members in finding new jobs and are in the forefront to get a new university in Maastricht and to revamp the Mining School. The author maintains that officials and miners would like to continue to be members of their weII known unions and their regional affilations. Some of the familiar working conditions and labor relations have to be maintained while the industrial climate is changing. For this the full co-operation between employers and employees is essential.