The protestant trade union movement (2)

First insertion on Heterodox Gazette Sam de Wolff: 23 october 2016

It is controversial among economists and sociologists, how much weight must be attached to morals in socio-economic processes. The present column tries to answer this question by studying the history of the trade union federation CNV. The position of the protestant trade union movement is studied for the periods of, successively, the social rebellion around 1918, the corporatism in the interbellum, the reconstruction after 1945, and the rise of New Left after 1966. Although morals are quite flexible, and often do do not live up to their pretensions, they yet do exert influence. The CNV distinghuishes favourably with regard to other federations.

A previous column has studied the early years of the confessional trade union movement, notably the Christian National Trade-association (in short CNV). The aim of that analysis is to determine the importance of morals for the trade union movement. For, the confessional trade union movement wants to profile itself precisely on her weltanschauung. The CNV wants to be a community of ideas, because this increases its strength. Political scientists call this manner of organizing communitarianism. Here the confessional federations distinguish themselves from the modern trade union movement. In the beginning the modern federations are liberal, but they soon become mainly socialist, such as since 1906 is embodied by the NVV. The NVV has for a long time stated that it is a neutral federation, but in practice it has always maintained close connections with the socialist party SDAP.

The christian morals

The confessional trade union movement bases its morals on the gospel. The gospel preaches brotherhood among people, because all live in the same society. Characteristic values are empathy and tolerance. Nevertheless, it is not possible to derive a closed moral system from the gospel, because there is much freedom in its interpretation. Accordingly the concrete result can differ. In the previous column about the CNV the morals are summarized, in the way that Ed. van Cleeff interpreted them. Essential values for the protestant christian (in short PC) trade union policy are the human vocation (in a profession and in the household), the sovereignty in the personal circle, and services to mankind. At the end of the nineteenth century, the protestant leader K. Kater still assumes that harmony is served best by forming a general association, which unites the workers and the entrepreneurs.

Figure 1: Sticker CNV Industrie en Voeding

At the time many christians believe, that the interests are served best by voluntary mutual support, namely charity. Others state, that christianity requires fair relations, so that one has reciprocity. That is to say, everybody must by able to realize his vocation. The enforcement of rights requires propaganda and, if necessary, collective action¹. Acquiescence is only the last option, when the social struggle has failed. Apparently the desire to create harmony must not be overestimated. Incidentally, the then society was much more dominated by ranks and classes than nowadays. It is already quite something, that the PC associations Patrimonium and the CNWB are general, and not class-bound. During the eighties of the nineteenth century Kater complains, that the political parliament insufficiently defends the interests of the wage-earners.

But all hold on to each other. Everybody is a different organ of the same body, and they need each other². In 1891 the protestant party ARP and its leader A. Kuyper accomodate the complaint by organizing a congress about social policies, together with Patrimonium. Reversely, Kater sometimes criticizes the workers, when their wage demands are unrealistic. That provokes the socialist J. Oudegeest to accuse Kater of "hating workers"! Yet the general associations Patrimonium and CNWB stagnate, apparently because the conflicting interests between the workers and entrepreneurs stifle its activities.

In 1909 the CNV is founded. The previous column has sketched the initial years of the CNV. The present column will elaborate on this theme, and discuss all developments between 1918 and 1980. Here the emphasis is still on the importance of morals for the CNV, as well as on the way in which it distinguishes itself from the NVV.

The revolutionary agitations and their aftermath

The CNV organizes merely the wage-earners, and therefore is a class organization. Even clergymen are not welcome. Yet the idea of harmony within the CNV becomes clear, when at the end of the First Worldwar everywhere in Europe revolutionary agitation erupts. In 1918 the Dutch social-democrats also claim the state power, although they are a minority in parliament. The CNV and the general protestant associations quickly form a committee of action, which mobilizes the workers against this attempt. The committee wil remain active also in the subsequent years. Indeed, the social situation still remains unstable for many years. Furthermore, from 1916 until 1921 the number of CNV members increases from 21.000 to 76.000. Its power grows. Another hallmark is, that the confessional trade union movement rejects strike with a political motive, contrary to the socialist NVV.

But still, under the influence of the revolutionary spirit of the time, the morals of the CNV waver. Apparently it is difficult to withdraw from the excitement of the socialist colleagues. Now it must be acknowledged, that during the years after the First Worldwar the call for change is strong. For centuries, Europe had not experienced the mass destruction on such a large scale any more. The trust in the existing order is severely shaken, and the population is open for political alternatives. In various European states socialist regimes come to power, although never permanently. The movement for the socialization of the economy is also strong in other states.

Within the confessional pillars the support for economic reforms grows, notably aiming at ordering. This current follows the spirit of the time, rather than resisting it. However, it wants to maintain the private property, and thus dislikes socialization. Then, as an alternative the ordering by means of branch organizations (in short BO) is recommended. Thus the professor J. Veraart begins an initiative for ordering the roman-catholic (in short RK) industries in branch councils³.

Figure 2: Bottle opener
   Vervoersbond CNV

Considering the spirit of the time, it is perhaps understandable, that the PC associations of wage-earners state in their manifesto against the revolution, that a new time has begun, which requires radical social reforms⁴. Here, the PC associations clearly defend a more radical standpoint than their congenial entrepreneurs and politicians. This certainly holds for the CNV. Although it still rejects the class struggle, now it does interpret the economy as a class phenomenon. This is a moral revolution. After 1918 the relations between the CNV and the general associations Patrimonium and CNWB become less cordial. This is in part a conflict of competence, because all are active in trade organizations. But the general associations also believe, that the CNV does not invest sufficiently in the confession of faith. It is a hallmark of the PC pillar, that the pain is relieved by mutual deliberations in the Commission of Cooperation. She organizes among others courses.

During the years immediately following the First Worldwar politics starts with the establishment of the social security. The trade union movement obtains a say, for instance in the High Council of Labour. In the attempt to appease the wage-earners the enterprises make significant concessions, such as the introduction of the 45-hourly working week. It turns out that these kinds of economic reforms is partly premature. All these advances probably create overstrained expectations within the early trade union movement. For, at the end of the twenties the CNV becomes disappointed in the christian pillar. For instance, it demands the churches to make propaganda in favour of the CNV, and they refuse⁵.

In 1929 a global economic crisis erupts, first in the United States of America. This crisis also reaches Europe, albeit with some delay. In the Netherlands the PC politics propagates a policy of austerity and reduced spending. Then the CNV begins to protest. It argues that there is over-production, so that moderation is not needed. Apparently the ideas of the economist J.M. Keynes gain in popularity. Nevertheless, this is undeniably a moral conflict within the PC pillar⁶. An illustration is the relation between the CNV and J.R. Slotemaker de Bruine, once a leader of the general CNWB. During the thirties, Slotemaker de Bruine contributes as a minister to the economic austerity. He loses the reverence, that the CNV still conferred to their minister S. Talma. The CNV is even suspicious about the ARP politician C. Smeenk, also the chairman of Patrimonium⁷.

The CNV also repeats its complaint, that the PC parties ARP and CHU do not sufficiently defend the interests of the wage-earners. The CNV distances itself from PC politics, and calls itself politically neutral. It is surprising, that yet leading CNV officials (Smeenk, Schouten, Kruithof) do try to enter the parliamentary section of the ARP⁸. In 1917 the materialism of the CNV provokes the PC ideologist A. Kuyper to state, that the CNV does little to "emphasize the christian character of the federation". In 1918 the CNV publishes its own social program, wherein it asks for radical reforms. This all is a fascinating development. It is obvious that any morals will change gradually. But when morals change within a short period, such as is the case for the CNV between 1915 and 1930, then apparently they are not very durable. Perhaps trade unions are not very suited for pluralism.

On the other hand, the CNV soon builds up a good relation with the RK trade union movement, since 1925 embodied in the RKWV. Incidentally, this is logical. The relation with the NVV remains complicated. For the moment, that relation is still poor, but that is mainly caused by the radical policy of its chairman R. Stenhuis. For instance, in 1924 the socialist textile workers strike. Their confessional colleagues remain willing to work, and then become the victim of gross socialist intimidation⁹. Stenhuis himself regularly offends the CNV and its leaders¹⁰. When in 1928 the moderate E. Kupers becomes the chairman of the NVV, the relations with the confessional federations gradually improve. Thus the dividing line between the various moral positions fades, or they mainly shift to the divide between the wage-earners and entrepreneurs!

The period of corporatism

The continuing conflicts within the PC pillar thwart the ideal of harmony. There are attempts to solve this problem. Already at the start of the twentieth centtury, various PC clergymen advocate a corporatist organization of the economy¹¹. This is presented as a form of solidarity between the wage-earners and the entrepreneurs, and a cooperation of labour and capital. In 1920 the then CNV chairman Diemer states, that "the final goal must be the public branch organization (in short PBO)¹². However this idea has not yet matured, because its form remains controversial. It is clear that the system must form in a natural manner, because the workers are not very interested in the BO, and the entrepreneurs even furiously oppose it!¹³ This makes the enthusiasm of the CNV top rather curious.

Many see the emergence of the collective agreements (in short CAO) as a step towards a further organization of branches. Smeenk favours the profit sharing of the wage-earners¹⁴. Some believe that the PBO is a means to temper the competition between the entrepreneurs. They believe that competition is morally objectionable! In 1937 a new attempt is made to fraternize, namely the foundation of the Convention of christian social organizations¹⁵. It includes wage-earners, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers and farmers. The Convention attempts to cooperate, but it turns out that the mutual differences are too large. Again the PC pillar is confronted with human imperfections. The CNV makes radical demands. It does not just want a say in the social policies, but also in the economic policies (investments, price fixation and the like)!

Figure 3: tea-spoon CNV
     Holiday resort Putten

A man like Smeenk, who is part of the left wing in the ARP group, believes that enterprises can be managed just by good book-keeping. As long as the financial and economic information is available, the federations and the entrepreneurs will together take the objectively best decision. The wage level must not be the result of a struggle for power. Smeenk rather underestimates with this presentation of the facts the importance of the entrepreneurial freedom and initiative¹⁶. In christian terms, the entrepreneur also has the right to follow his vocation. Apparently the left wing of the PC pillar yet has the inclination to stifle the entrepreneurs. It must be added here, that during the thirties a number of external factors also point in the direction of the BO. Here, notably the economic depression must be mentioned again, which rages since 1929. In all European states it kills the free trade¹⁷.

In 1940 the Netherlands becomes occupied by the fascist army of Germany. The new regime formally proclaims corporatism also in the Netherlands, but actually an informal system of compromizing emerges. An important effect of the occupation is, that the various pillars now have a common enemy, and thus become close allies. Already in 1943 the leaders of the underground CNV, NVV and RKWV together form the Council of Federations. The leaders of the trade union movement also begin consultations with the entrepreneurs. Thus already during the occupation the blueprint is made for a corporatist system, including the PBO. The establishment of the Stichting van de Arbeid (Foundation of Labour) in 1944 is a milestone, which marks this development.

In 1945 the new roman-catholic government coalition immediately begins to design the PBO, with the warm support of the federations. However, the social support for the PBO remains weak. Merely in a few branches, such as the agriculture, the PBO becomes a success. In fact the most important body of the new order is the Sociaal Economische Raad (Council, in short SER). It plays an important role in the controlled wage- and price-policies, which are also a pillar of the new order. During the first post-war decade the ARP and CHU often form the political opposition. So their contribution to the PBO remains limited. For instance, the new ARP leader Jelle Zijlstra believes that the PBO will fail¹⁸.

The years of reconstruction

The postwar order of the economy implies that the trade union movement is integrated in the administrative system. The federations have become powerful institutions. Already during the early thirties the number of CNV members has risen to approximately 110.000. After the Second Worldwar the Netherlands is rapidly industrialized, and already in 1950 the CNV has approximately 160.000 members. In fact the classes of workers and entrepreneurs oppose each other in the SER. So the class idea has been maintained. The conflict of material interests is institutionalized. The then CNV chairman M. Ruppert rightly complains that thus the fraternization into a single community becomes impossible.

However, his standpoint is rather ambiguous. For, Ruppert also states that the trade unions must be led by people from the working class. The higher educated are unfit: "They also do not understand, what motivates the [trade union] movement and what happens within it". Here the problem is, that many trade union officials have merely completed the primary school. Therefore they have difficulty in understanding the social developments¹⁹. Ruppert (who is the face of the CNV, and thus its mouthpiece) even states that the prosperity of the trade union movement is due to its character as a class organization. For, a class can only emancipate socially as a collective²⁰. His view is difficult to reconcile with the PC morals of the personal relation with God.

When indeed the class is the hallmark of the trade union movement, then the organization according to the Weltanschauung would be superfluous. Then a single federation would be preferable. It is true that during the postwar years there is a tendency to unite. The NVV has moderated its tone, and tries to get closer with the confessional federations. But in spite of the political roman-red coalition, this attempt is doomed to fail at the outset due to the unwillingness within the RK pillar. It is striking, that now the protestant wage-earners, who since Kater appreciate a unified trade union movement, prefer their own pillar. Some still believe, that the CNV can contribute to the spreading of the protestant morals²¹.

Nevertheless, during the years of reconstruction the ethical differences between the federations have decreased. This is notably caused by the moderation of the rhetorics of class struggle by the NVV. At the time the social-democracy propagates the break-through socialism, which wants to incorporate the christian image of man. Since the profiling by means of principles is abandoned, the CNV must justify its existence by providing services. Consider holiday resorts, magazines, insurances, courses, and even the production of films. And the recently established works councils (in short OR) are supported with knowledge and experience. The aim is to reconcile the OR with the model of centralization of the trade unions. In a previous column about the mission of the trade union movement it has already been shown, that during the prosperity phase of the welfare state the trade unions enter a mild existential crisis.

The failure of the PBO is a bitter pill to swallow for the CNV, which for over half a century has seen this as its final reason of existence. The number of members has yet increased a bit, and then stabilizes around 230.000 (1965). At the time many workers merely join the CNV out of habit. They do not know any more how the CNV differs morally from the other federations²². In 1963 the CNV still tries to formulate a social program, together with the Convent. But the PC organizations do not succeed in agreeing on a common course. The Convent has become just a centre for consciousness. Incidentally, the CNV maintains its contact with the Churches. Since 1950 there is the foundation Kerk en industrie, which sends out clergy-men to the industries. During the late sixties the commission Kerk en vakbeweging is formed, which deliberates with all federations²³.

In 1965 the RK NKV (the successor of the RKWV) disjoins from the diocesan associations. Now it would be logical to strive for a merger of the NKV and CNV. Unfortunately this does not happen, because in 1966 the radical New Left movement spreads from the United States of America to Europe. During the subsequent decades, it plunges the society into a state of moral perturbation, also in the Netherlands.

The period of the New Left

In this paragraph no attempt is made to give a general description of the social consequences, that resulted from the rise of the New Left. The interested reader can read this in a previous column. Its hallmark is the questioning of the existing authority, and a call for democratization of the social institutions. This has disastrous consequences for those with weak morals. For instance, the NKV radicalizes rapidly, and ideologically drifts apart from the CNV. The apostacy is also boosted. In 1970 the CNV analyzes its own morals, and concludes that the gospel must be promoted²⁴. The gospel requires a mutual responsibility. After 1971 the CNV also subjects its policies to democratic consultations of its members.

Figure 4: Ashtray NCGB

For years, the CNV, NKV and NVV have coordinated their policies in the Overleg-orgaan (consultative body), the successor of the Raad van Vakcentralen (council of federations). However, the NVV also radicalizes due to the rise of New Left. It even begins to dismiss any responsibility for the existing order. This can be perused in the mentioned column. Yet in 1967 and 1971 the three federations still succeed in formulating a collective program of action. In 1969 J. Lanser becomes the new CNV chairman, and he tries to present a clear profile of the CNV. The ideas of Lanser are important, because the social unrest culminates precisely in this period. Then the CNV must make decisions, that determine the distant future of the federation.

The rethorics of Lanser are sometimes a bit strange, which is perhaps due to the spirit of the time. For instance, he states that "the economic profit is not the goal, but a means to maintain a community, that wants to serve the society"²⁵. And Lanser often rejects the desire for workers' self-management. Since the PBO has failed, Lanser tries to find the solution in the shared management of the enterprise. Here the stakeholders must together take responsibility for all decisions. In that sense Lanser connects with the ideas of Ruppert. He apparently alludes to representatives of the union in the board of supervisory directors²⁶. In this manner the labour relations can become more humane.

In other words, the wage-earners together form the enterprise, and therefore are its true owners²⁷. The trade union movement must stimulate this development, and that requires a critical attitude towards society (another modish expression of the time). In the end the economic order must get another structure. For instance, it is fair that the wage-earners share in the increasing wealth of the enterprise. The enterprise can realize this by formulating a social statute. The social goals must not be secondary. According to Lanser, the image of man (the morals) exert influence here²⁸. In 1974 Lanser ends a lecture by citing Jesus: "See. I make all things new". According to him, this is the mission of the CNV²⁹. Just lik in 1918, the CNV gets carried away by the social unrest, now initiated by New Left.

During the seventies the three federations deliberate about the establishment of a confederation, the Federatie van Nederlandse Vakverenigingen (in short FNV), which must intensify the cooperation. In this deliberation the CNV wants to maintain its own morals, and it only accepts a loose alliance. In this manner, in the end it can not come to an agreement with the radicalized NKV and NVV. In 1975 the formulation of a shared action program fails, and in 1976 the CNV gives up the participation in the FNV. The NKV continues the merger on its own³⁰. This also ends bodies such as the commission Kerk en vakbeweging. And the CNV changes into an interconfessional federation. Incidentally, in the same period the associations of PC and RK entrepreneurs do merge, in the NCW.

Evaluation

The present column wants to analyze the meaning of morals within the CNV. The CNV translates the christian paradigm into the values of justice and brotherhood. In practice it turns out that these value result in rather one-sides demands, which must ensure the capability of the wage-earners to pursue their vocation. Besides, the spirit of the time strongly affects the formulation of these values. Thus the profile of the CNV is not really a reliable beacon. Nevertheless, despite this conclusion it turns out that the CNV differs favourably from the socialist NVV. The CNV is more aware of the interests of the other stakeholders, and that leads to a better judgement of the real situation. Thus the CNV members are not unnecessarily saddled up with high costs and senseless labour conflicts. But perhaps this is more a matter of common sense than of morals³¹.

1. See p.23 in De christelijk sociale beweging (1955, Christelijk Nationale Bibliotheek) by R. Hagoort. At the time, among others S. Talma has energetically propagated this standpoint. Also M. Ruppert on p.11 in the second volume of De Nederlandse vakbeweging (1953, De Erven F. Bohn N.V.) defends this standpoint. He formulates it in such a manner, that the trade union movement specifically defends the vocation of the wage-earners. Thus he implies, that in the wage struggle it is hostile towards the vocation of the entrepreneurs and capital owners. He does acknowledge, that sometimes the demands of the trade unions will be sinful, that is to say, in contradiction with justice. (back)
2. See p.4 in the second volume of Christelijk-sociale beginselen (Uitgeverij van J.H. Kok NV, 1936) by C. Smeenk. On p.60 Smeenk states that within the christian community no classes are allowed, because of the brotherhood. (back)
3. On p.358 in Met ontplooide banieren (1950, N.V. drukkerij Edecea) H. Amelink indeed states, that the propaganda for the branch councils (BO) is mainly a reaction to the slogan of socialization. The BO is offered as the lesser of two evils. When after many years the actions for socialization have languished, the movement for the BO also comes to an end. (back)
4. See p.81 and further in Met ontplooide banieren by H. Amelink. (back)
5. See p.107 and further, as well as p.137 in Met ontplooide banieren. In the following decades the CNV will continue to complain regularly, that the PC churches do not do their utmost to promote the CNV. In the RK pillar this affair is totally different, because there the bishops forbid the membership of other federations than their own RK Werkliedenverbond. The other side of the coin is that the RKWV has to tolerate a clerical supervision of its own policy. On p.149 Amelink mentions that in 1929 the CNV has published its own pamphlet for people, who profess the PC confession. The aim is that the clergy-men will distribute that pamphlet among their congregations. During the thirties the interest for the pamphlet decreases (among clergy-men?). (back)
6. See p.157 and further in Met ontplooide banieren. At the time the ARP and CHU do not want to continue the expansion of the national debt. But after the Second Worldwar the large national debt becomes generally accpeted. Incidentally, at the time this has been done excessively, and nowadays it is preferred to have a balanced budget. On reflection this indeed seems to be the most reasonable approach. (back)
7. For the reverence towards Talma see Amelink on p.62-63 in Met ontplooide banieren. On p.169 it is mentioned that Slotemaker de Bruine defends himself against the criticism of CNV chairman B. Kruithof (1916-1935). On p.345 Amelink states about Smeenk: "His ties with the trade union movement had gradually loosened". (back)
8. See p.307 and 310 in Met ontplooide banieren. On p.309 Amelink mentions, that an ARP politician complains about the attempts of the various federations to outbid each other. Reversely, in 1912 a CNV leader states, that "the trust in the right-wing politics (ARP, CHU) has been shaken" (p.312). See p.342 for the attempts of CNV leaders to begin a political career in the ARP. Note that already a quarter of a century before Kater called for the inclusion of labourers within the ARP parliamentary group. The citation of Kuyper is on p.344. He also writes: "No tone of higher life is heard. It can not be lower than it is". Amelink is evidently offended. In 1925 the ARP member of parliament Smeek believes, that the CNV leaders still must grow personally: "not one-sidedly socio-politically developed, but oriented broader, capable to form an opinion also about affairs of state interests" (p.346). The CNV even considers the idea to found its own labour party! (p.349) (back)
9. See Amelink on p.282 in Met ontplooide banieren. He calls it terror. Confessional workers, who walk to and from their factory, are followed by hunderds of socialists. Sometimes they are assaulted. There are also posts at the houses of non-strikers. Even the wives and children of the non-strikers are followed. (back)
10. On p.283 in Met ontplooide banieren a text of Stenhuis is cited: "The gentlemen who lead the confessional trade union movement, are inclined to daily help to kill the trade unions and at the same time assure with an honest face, that they want to defend them. Ambiguity and insincerity belong to those whose heart is inclined to betray". And in 1925 the NVV magazine writes about the confessional trade unions (p.289): "These guys have held the banner of gold and not of God. They are not christians, but brutal profane, who abuse God and offend Jesus, in order to do their unholy work. (...) The Christian principle must be saved by the Christian workers from the hands of the scraping and intriguing politicians and union leaders, who profess with their lips what their heart no longer loves". When one reads this, one may change the personal views on the morals of the then NVV. Amelink also notes, that the CNV is only willing to strike under the utter necessity. In a previous column about the trade union movement it is explained, that the NVV hopes to score successes by means of long-lasting (for many months) strikes. The NVV loses most of these gigantic strikes. Oudegeest blames this on the CNV and RKWV, but that is not credible. In the end it are the NVV members, who have to bear the enormous costs of these experiments. After the end of the twenties such large strikes hardly occur. (back)
11. See p.127 and further in Christelijk-sociale beginselen II. (back)
12. See p.351 and further in Met ontplooide banieren. Diemer believes that this is more important than raising the wages and reducing the working-hours! (back)
13. See p.352 in Met ontplooide banieren. (back)
14. See p.141 and further in Christelijk-sociale beginselen II. It is also remarkable, that Smeenk prefers the BO instead of the works council (p.243). He believes that competition in the industry is morally wrong, for instance, because it is cut-throat competition. Thus the BO has moral and social advantages. On p.61 in De Nederlandse vakbeweging II Ruppert also states, that the branch organization is the economic circle (so apparently not the enterprise). He even suggests that the branch organization can replace collective agreements by its own wage-regulation (p.67). It is 1953, and the idea of ordering is still vivid. (back)
15. This information originates from De christelijk sociale beweging, on p.7, p.173, and p.263 and further. Amelink also mentions this on p.210 in Met ontplooide banieren. (back)
16. See p.72 in Christelijk-sociale beginselen II. On p.234 Smeenk advocates the representation of the trade union movement in the Board of supervisory directors. Incidentally, Smeenk is aware of the importance of entrepreneurial freedom (p.237), and of the impossibility to predict the economic developments. But all in all he still believes that these aspects can be reconciled with the PBO. Amelink is an energetic adherent of the PBO. See p.360 and further in Met ontplooide banieren. Ruppert even states on p.69-70 in De Nederlandse vakbeweging II: "The capitalist furnishes the capital, but in this manner does not enter the circle of the enterprise, at least as long as he is not also the entrepreneur. He remains where he is". Next Ruppert complains about the power of capital. He even demands, that the workers have a say in the appointment of the director (p.74)! Smeenk, Amelink and Ruppert all seem to forget, that the factor labour does not bear the entrepreneurial risk, contrary to the factor capital. In a bankruptcy the wage-earners do not lose an income, but they must merely transfer to another employer. Therefore there is no reason to give them an economic say.
    Apparently some in the PC pillar feel an urge to radically reform the society. They obtain their inspiration from the Messianic character of christianity. Man will once be reborn, and then sheds his sins. Your columnist is not enthusiastic about this interpretation of the rebirth, because she ignores human nature. (back)
17. The Dutch agriculture gets into trouble, because the export languishes. Next the state supports the farmers by means of subsidies and price guarantees. According as the depression lasts longer, the unemployment grows. Then the state also begins to invest in large projects for the provision of work and for the enlargement of work. In that way the Dutch economy automatically becomes ordered. Besides, in Italy and Germany, fascism comes to power, and it prefers corporatism in the economy. Certainly in Germany this approach looks successful. That affects the Dutch views. (back)
18. See Per slot van rekening (1992, Uitgeverij Contact) by J. Zijlstra. Incidentally, Zijlstra belongs to a new generation of politicians, which hardly expresses her inspiration from the gospel. The clergy-men disappear from the active politics, and that changes things. (back)
19. The argument about union leaders from the personal circle can be found on p.109 and further in the second volume of De Nederlandse vakbeweging by M. Ruppert. The call for fraternization can be found on p.188 and further. On p.6 Ruppert argues, that the trade union movement is a pluriform institute, which organizes both the blue- and white-collar workers. Thus it remains unclear, why a university graduate could not be the best leader of the CNV. When this argument is extended, one could for instance also promote proletarian clergy-men. The trade unions try to fill the lacunae of knowledge of their officials with the help of their own cadre schools. (back)
20. See p.11 in the first volume of De Nederlandse vakbeweging (1953, De Erven F. Bohn N.V.) by M. Ruppert. Ruppert states that for instance the farm workers are difficult to organize, because they can become farmers, so that they have opportunities for individual emancipation. (back)
21. See p.34 in De christelijk sociale beweging. Hagoort believes that the re-christianization is best served by an ideologically pure organization. He supports his opinion with citations from the Bible. Here he notes, that in 1946 the Synod of the Dutch protestant Church does not accept a complementary function for the trade union movement. Therefore joining the CNV is not an obligation (p.39). According to Ruppert on p.143 in De Nederlandse vakbeweging I, in the postwar years many protestant clergy-men even thwarted the CNV. Hagoort and Ruppert suggest, that the clergy-men have socialist sympathies! According to Ruppert, after the Second Worldwar a unified trade union movement was impossible, because the NVV does not positively want to accept christianity (p.100). In 1949 Ruppert even applauds, that the Dutch christians have rejected the inter-confessionalism (p.127). The confessionalism has turned the CNV and RKWV into strong federations. On p.186 in De Nederlandse vakbeweging II Ruppert argues that workers join the unions because of moral motives, and less out of egoism. Your columnist believes that this is merely true for a small minority. Smeenk on p.165 in Christelijk-sociale beginselen II also states, that the CNV must be a pressure group for christianity. Your columnist gets the impression, that the clinging on to the pillarization is mainly due to love of ease and mental laziness. In Germany Hitler has merged the trade union movement, and after the Second Worldwar the various Weltanschauungen remain united with a single federation, the DGB. So it is possible. (back)
22. See p.49 in Beweging in beweging (1979, NV Drukkerij Edecea) by K. Dijkstra. (back)
23. See p.117 in Beweging in beweging. (back)
24. See p.49-50 in Beweging in beweging. (back)
25. See p.53 in Mondige mensen (1975, Uitgeversmaatschappij J.H. Kok) by J. Lanser. One wonders what remains of the vocation of the share-holders. The book is a volume filled with his articles, dating from 1967-1975. Your columnist once bought a second-hand edition, when the Utrecht library cleared its magazine. He read it 14 years ago for the first time. The contents looked somewhat naive even then. (back)
26. See p.81 in Mondige mensen. Thus the OR obtains a congenial interlocutor in the direction. On p.10 Lanser calls this the democratization of the enterprise. On p.17 Lanser literally refers to his predecessor M. Ruppert, who expressed similar ideas. On p.35 Lanser argues that the share-holders run little risk, due to the entrepreneurial planning. This is an under-estimation of the economic dynamics and uncertainty. (back)
27. See p.35 in Mondige mensen. According to Lanser the enterprise becomes socialized. The enterprise must further the unfolding of the workers. The economy and the technology must no longer have the primacy. It is not completely clear how Lanser wants to organize the co-responsibility of the wage-earners (p.50). For, they do not bear any risk. (back)
28. See p.28 in Mondige mensen, and more in detail on p.85 and further. The social statute is mentioned on p.14 and 30. (back)
29. This period shows that within the NVV the radical spirit of Oudegeest and Stenhuis is still present. For, the NVV again falls into its own mistake of offending and insinuating, at least its powerful industry union does. For this see Mensenwerk (1980, Uitgeverij Ambo bv) by G. Harmsen, J. Perry and F. van Gelder, nota bene a memorial book in honour of the merger of IB NVV and NKV. On p.242 Lanser is shamelessly slandered: "The CNV top was active in its own way: premature compromises, behind the scenes a continuous contact with the brothers of faith in entrepreneurial circles, CDA and government. After the first concessions of the entrepreneurs immediately calling for termination of the actions. It is all very familiar. (...) The information that he [Lanser] acted as a paid advisor to OGEM and also had a function within ABN, made him impossible for the strikers. It also baffled his own members". It is a malicious distortion of reality. The problem is that the slanderers get away with their misconduct, because most people assume good faith. Your columnist, who himself was an FNV member for a decade, and a cadre for four years, now feels ashamed. Incidentally, all Dutch left-wing organizations embrace polarization during the New Left era, and search for the implacable conflict. This can also be read in a previous column about the trade union movement during those years. (back)
30. The final decades of the NKV are difficult to comprehend. For more than half a century the RK trade union movement had propagated strong morals. Still in 1954 the RK bishops forbid the membership of the NVV, because of its moral ideas. But between 1963 and 1975 the NKV changes into a radical-utopian federation, who merely in name adheres to the RK faith. One gets the impressions that the RK trade union movement has always seen its own paradigm as the dictate of the RK priests. Apparently such an external dictate does not lead to internalization. Incidentally, the case of the NKV is not unique. In 1965 in France the RK federation CFTC discontinues itself, and goes on as the radical-socialist federation CFDT. (back)
31. So although the CNV developed a more sensible social-economic policy than the NVV, the CNV is by no means free of faults. The christian morals sometimes push in the wrong direction. For instance, the CNV drops only in 1959 the demand that married women are not allowed to work (p.71 in Beweging in beweging). Only in 1971 the CNV embraces the emancipation of women. And at the time no women can be found in the managerial circles of the CNV and its unions. Dijkstra dismisses this with the remark that "women are not very interested in union activities" (p.188). The society indeed still had abuses, which became the foundation for the radicalism of New Left and its utopian morals. (back)