Ann Vermorgen, chairwoman of the Christian trade union ACV. — © Kristof Vadino
elections
The two largest trade unions ACV and ABVV have a mutual agreement that they will screen the Vlaams Belang electoral lists for trade union members for the Flemish, national, European and municipal elections. Anyone who is ‘caught’ is invited for an interview. If that conversation produces no results, that person will be expelled from the union.
“The values of the trade union movement are diametrically opposed to what a party like Vlaams Belang stands for,” says ACV chairman Ann Vermorgen. “I note that Vlaams Belang pits people against each other and preaches hatred. Collaboration is therefore completely impossible for us, at any level.” ACV and ABVV also carried out such a screening during previous elections. The liberal trade union ACLVB does not do that.
Vlaams Belang reacts indignantly to the agreement. “A political opinion is free, but that apparently does not count for the unions,” says the party spokesperson. “That shows very little respect for their members.” (pl)