Background and context

VHP2 started off to represent the interests of our members. This means
that we keep their opinions, mentalities and social positions in mind when
we promote these interests.
Interests are represented in many ways. Central and decentral and on
different levels in society. Most of the time, the consultations have been
moulded into certain structures. We distinguish the following:

1. Consultations between social partners

Here we make a package deal of agreements which includes all primary and secundary working conditions. It also includes the consultations VHP2 has on a national, provincial or regional level at employmentprojects, such as losing employment or looking for additional or replacing employment.

2. Consultations between VHP2, Social Partners and the government

In order to take agreements to a higher policylevel that influences the
consultations from 1. Within the representative parts, the larger unions such a CMHF and VCP, VHP2 codecides about matters such as education, pension and leave of absence, employability and policies corresponding to a stage of life.

3. Consultations and lobby on political level for long term

Here we need the power of the larger unions. VHP2 is active in the different advice- and policy parties within the CMHF and the MHP. The results from these consultations lead to legislation and regulations. For example: child allowance, premiums for social security, care allowance, mortgage interest deduction, student grants etc.

Historical background

The VHP2 started in 2009 from a merge between VHPP and VHP
Metalektro.The VHPP was founded in 1972 and originated from the
‘Vereniging van Hoger Personeel der N.V. Philips’ which was founded in
1949. The ‘VHP Metalektro’ started in 1974 as ‘Hoger Personeel
Metalektro’(HPME).
It is no coincidence that both unions were founded in the beginning of the
seventies.
In 1972 an agreement came from the ‘Stichting van de Arbeid’  which was
characterized for it’s large levelling of wages. As a result the higher wages
were raised less than the lower wages and salaries. Through this levelling,
the unions for higher personnel started to increase. In a few months time
the ‘Nederlandse Centrale Hoger Personeel’(NCHP, later VHP) had doubled
the amount of members up till 25.000. On january 1st the NCHP had
34.467 members.
The amount of female members still rises; in the last 25 years their number has almost been tripled. Nonetheless in 2012 they only represent a third of the members.
In 2011 about 20% of the employees were members of a union.