In his monumental study about the Low Countries, the great Dutch historian Kossmann remarks that political action outside and against parliament by means of demonstrations and riots is common in Belgium. Within the realm of strike activity, there is also some sketchy evidence of a propensity for striking of the ...
(Show more)In his monumental study about the Low Countries, the great Dutch historian Kossmann remarks that political action outside and against parliament by means of demonstrations and riots is common in Belgium. Within the realm of strike activity, there is also some sketchy evidence of a propensity for striking of the Belgians in the past. Unlike most other West European labour movements, general strikes continued after the First World War. However, based upon the official strike statistics, strikes seem to have withered away in the last decade of the twentieth century. Hence, in a report about decent work of the now-called Belgian Federal Public Service for Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue, the former Labour Ministry, it is stated that “the system of social dialogue seems to prevent social conflict rather efficiently” (Federaal Ministerie van Tewerkstelling en Arbeid, 2002:48).
The aim of this paper is to show why the thesis of the withering away of strikes is very doubtful for the Belgian case. First of all, the availability and reliability of the official strike statistics will be analysed. The paper will try to show that the historians and social researchers must be careful in interpreting official strike data and argue that it is probably better not to rely too much on it to analyse Belgian strike behaviour. Secondly, on the basis of long wave theory, the strikes of the nineties will be put into a historical perspective and will be linked with the trade union membership and the industrial relations system in Belgium. Thirdly, the data of the Centrale Weerstandskas, the central strike fund of the Christian trade union organisation will be used as an alternative resource to explain why the withering away of strikes in Belgium is very doubtful.
Reference
Federaal Ministerie van Tewerkstelling en Arbeid, Belgisch rapport over de kwaliteit van arbeid. Brussel, Federaal Ministerie van Tewerkstelling en Arbeid, 2002, 52p.
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