The members of FNV Bondgenoten, the Netherlands’ biggest union, have voted against the new pension agreement. A majority of 96% voted against the agreement, with a turnout of 23%.

The union had given a negative voting advice to its 470,000 members, because it believes the risks for employees will be too big and the costs for employers too small. FNV Bondgenoten chair Henk van der Kolk is therefore pleased with the result and said it was a clear signal that the members do not want this pension deal.

Another union within umbrella organisation FNV, of which FNV Bondgenoten is part, announced the results of its referendum last week. The members of FNV Horecabond voted in favour of the agreement, although only 7% of the 23,000 members voted.

Van der Kolk said he believes the new agreement is too risky, especially for younger employees. “We want clear standards for every pension fund, so that members really get the guarantees that can be offered. And if it goes wrong in a fund, we want, as is the case now, for employers to be responsible as well, and not for members to carry all the risks.”

Two other unions, FNV Bouw and Abvokabo, still need to vote for the agreement, but are waiting for social affairs minister Henk Kamp, who is making some small changes which he hopes will convince the two unions to vote in favour of the agreement.

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