There’s a striking trend: an increase in union membership at “Dutch universities. At the Federatie Nederlandse Vakvereniging (FNV) alone, the number of members in this sector has grown by 47% over the past two years. According to Ester Scherps, lecturer in Work and Organizational Psychology and union representative for the FNV, this is no coincidence. “As organizers of protests against education budget cuts, unions have become highly visible. More and more colleagues are seeing the value of union membership. Not just for legal support or better working conditions, but also to contribute to a more just society.”
Arnoud Lagendijk, professor of Social Geography and member of the Local Counsil representing the Algemene Onderwijsbond (= General Education Union) and spokesperson for all unions, agrees. “Unions focus on very concrete matters, like social plans or collective labour agreement (CLA) negotiations. But we also deal with broader issues, like social safety and our university’s climate policy.’
Multiple benefits
Ester outlines some of the member benefits: “Whether you have questions about contracts, parental leave, illness, or working part-time—you can always turn to a union. And if necessary, you can get support from tax advisors or disability insurance (WIA) specialists, for example. A union is genuinely there for you, offering independent and personal advice—beyond what the university itself provides.”
Arnoud adds: “As a member, you can access career advice, training sessions on employee participation, and workshops on social safety. You’re also entitled to legal assistance, provided you became a member before any workplace conflict arose.”
He also points out the contrast with other countries: “In many neighbouring countries, being part of a union is the norm—unless you actively choose not to be. International colleagues at our university are often surprised that union membership here isn’t auomatic. In the Netherlands, we have a more individualistic culture, even though a CLA negotiated by unions—such as a salary increase—benefits everyone, including non-members. In the UK, for instance, CLA outcomes initially apply only to union members, and only later to non-members.”
A collective voice
Ester stresses that members have a real voice in decision-making: “Simply participating in a members’ meeting during CLA negotiations can already make a difference. And you get to vote on CLA proposals. For example, in the most recent negotiations, our input helped reduce income disparities.”
Arnoud continues: “The voice of staff is the core of the union ideal. We, as university employees, have a wealth of practical knowledge. We need to use that to make our university an even better place: one where both staff and students feel safe, recognized, and valued.”
While union membership costs about €20 per month, Ester notes that through the selection model for Employment Conditions, you can reduce that to a net €10. “And if you join during Union Month, it’s even cheaper—on average only €5 per month in the first year. In return, you can receive a lot—legal aid, tax advice, and more.”
Benefits for Radboud University
Why is it important for Radboud University that more employees join a union? Ester: “A strong union means the employer can engage in dialogue with a well-organized representative body. This improves the quality and support for decision-making and also reflects good employer practices.”
Arnoud: “As unions, we consult with our members and bring their input into our conversations with the university. That’s how things like the Optional Model and various travel and leave policies came about.”
For staff who are still unsure about joining a union, Ester and Arnoud offer a low-threshold suggestion. “Reach out to us personally if you have any questions”, says Arnoud. “And just drop by the FNV’s weekly consultation hour: every Monday at 12:00 near the side entrance of tva1”, adds Ester. “Everyone is welcome, including non-members. We’ll be happy to answer your questions. With more members, we have more power. The stronger our unions, the stronger our voice in the next CLA negotiations, which start as early as 2026.”
Ester emphasizes that unions are there for all university staff, not just researchers and lecturers. “That includes colleagues in professional services as well.” Arnoud concludes: “Thanks to the unions, thousands of university employees recently gathered at the Malieveld. That sent a powerful message. The more people join, the stronger our collective voice. And we need that voice now more than ever.”
Important: If you join a union in September or October, your employer will reimburse €100 of your membership fee in the first year.
Want to learn more or curious about the different unions? Read more…
More information or questions?
- Arnoud Lagendijk: arnoud.lagendijk [at] ru.nl (arnoud[dot]lagendijk[at]ru[dot]nl)
- Ester Scherps: fnv [at] ru.nl (fnv[at]ru[dot]nl)