The Netherlands: The representativeness of trade unions and employer associations in the chemical sector

The chemical sector is an important sector in the Dutch economy. It has made a remarkably rapid recovery from the economic crisis of 2008. Regarding future opportunities the social partners stress the innovative strength of the sector. Both social partners have urged the government to give specific stimuli to the sector. The most important features of industrial relations structures at sector level have remained unchanged since 2008. On the employee side three unions of the national federations are active. The unions of FNV Bondgenoten, CNV Vakmensen and De Unie negotiate collective labour agreements at company level. On employer side the VNCI (Vereniging van de Nederlandse Chemische Industrie), the Association of Dutch Chemical Industry, represents the interests of businesses more general, but takes no part in collective bargaining negotiations.