Cordiality at the Boudewijn Berentsen’s farewell

FNV Formaat bade farewell to Boudewijn Berentsen, the Coordinator of the EWC Service, in style. After sixteen years in the trade union movement he is pursuing his career as the Business Director of the Muziekgebouw on the IJ.

Peter Gortzak, the Vice-Chairman of the FNV, recalled that a lot had changed in international employee representation during that period. He commended Berentsen for his personal contribution to this, as an authority in the field.

Albeit the European Works Council still had meagre competences, Gortzak believed that it was in the workers’ interest that there was an Institute. He expressed his support to MEP Jan Cremers, there present, for his efforts to try and make the European Directive on worker participation less voluntary. He confirmed Cremers’ remark that the VNO-NCW was unfortunately not an ally but an opposing force. The Anglo-Saxon management thinking was also on the agenda after many years. That is why this was the moment to strike a better balance in legislation between the different stakeholders in companies.

Hans Hautvast, the Director of FNV Formaat, regretted that Boudewijn’s passion for music had “got the better of him”, as he put it. No-one is irreplaceable, he stated, but replacing Boudewijn would be tougher than usual. Petra Molenaar, previously the Team Leader for the metalworking industry, will take over from him. Sjef Stoop, Mariëlle van der Coelen and John Snel will be working side-by-side with her.