The National Federation of Christian Trade Unions in the Netherlands
An independent organisation
The National Federation of Christian Trade Unions in the Netherlands (CNV) is a Christian trade union federation with a support base of over 350,000 members. The organisation is independent of governmental and political groups. Membership is open to everyone, independent of race, religion or social background. The CNV is one of the largest trade union organisations in the Netherlands and can be proud of broad grassroots support throughout the country. Eleven trade unions are affiliated to the CNV federation, working in various sectors (such as the manufacturing industry, transport, police, service industries, the public sector, education, health care). The CNV unions protect and advocate employees’ rights in matters related to collective labour agreements, social security and pensions.
CNV and its affiliated unions work for the betterment of society, for the right of people to share in prosperity and well-being, and for the right to live in freedom on the basis of equality. The CNV trade union federation actively promotes better working opportunities, acceptable working conditions, worker participation, social security, environmental protection, and education and training facilities.
The CNV also devotes much endeavour to improving democratic and social principles on an international scale by supporting trade union federations worldwide. This scope makes the CNV a broad movement that strives for the renewal of society and workers’ emancipation, in addition to the protection of collective and individual interests.
A clear and distinctive course
The CNV trade union federation pursues its own distinctive course. The Christian values of justice, solidarity, and stewardship steer the proposed solutions to the social issues of our time. The CNV translates these values into three objectives: solidarity, participation and sustainability. Solidarity makes no distinction on the grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion or social status. The CNV envisions a society that enables people to take part in social and labour processes. Sustainability is all about a balanced economic growth that fully takes into account the interests of future generations.
CNV activities at various levels
To meet these objectives, the CNV trade union federation is active at various levels. The Netherlands has a lengthy history of dialogue and co-operation. To the CNV, participation in the social dialogue is very important, as it enables us to discuss and influence socio-economic policies and issues concerning work and income. At national level, the CNV participates in national consultative bodies, namely, the tripartite Social Economic Council (SER) and the bipartite Foundation of Labour (STAR).
The affiliated trade unions in the CNV federation are particularly active on the shop floor, looking after collective and individual interests of their members. Besides the negotiation of collective labour agreements, which usually takes place at sector level in the Netherlands, the CNV unions also monitor their members' working hours, safety and health in the workplace, salaries, dismissal procedures, benefits, allowances and pensions. Furthermore, the CNV offers individual members free services such as legal assistance, education and assistance in matters like tax declaration.
CNV and the international context
As mentioned above, the CNV is also active in promoting workers’ rights and the social dialogue in a global context. Accordingly, it participates in the annual conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a UN agency which advocates social justice and international recognised human and labour rights. Furthermore, CNV is a member of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the Internatinal Trade Union Confederation ITUC. The ITUC is an international trade union movement that defends the interests of people working in the formal and informal economy.
It has regional organisations in Asia (ITUC AP), Africa (ITUC-AF), and from march 2008 also in Latin America (ITUCA). Through membership of these European and worldwide organisations, the CNV promotes a more democratic and social world and, by means of various activities, keeps up with international developments and matters concerning employees. For instance, the CNV encourages the participation of trade union movements in drawing up Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers. The CNV also backs labour rights in processes of ongoing privatisation and trade liberalisation.
Solidarity across the border
As part of its international responsibility, the CNV runs a specialised department - CNV Internationaal - to promote international solidarity. This department gives financial, technical and moral support to independent, democratic trade unions in more than 40 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Central and Eastern Europe. The focus of this support is to strengthen them in their fight for human rights and social development, improved working conditions and the provision of training. By means of educational activities and campaigns, the CNV provides information in the Netherlands on violations of trade union rights, and leads campaigns for imprisoned or threatened colleagues elsewhere.
Our adress
Visiting adress: Tiberdreef 4, NL 3561 GG Utrecht, The Netherlands
PO Box 2475, NL 3500 GL Utrecht, The Netherlands
Telephone CNV Internationaal + 31 30 - 751 1260
Fax CNV Internationaal + 31 30 751 1149
E-mail: internationaal@cnv.nl
