Labour Relations in the Dutch Margarine Industry 1870-1954

A number of new industries were born at the end of the last century, in a manner resembling Aphrodite's rising from the sea. These industries are characterized by an abrupt start, in contrast with other industries that evolved from a traditional craft to a modern industry along an elaborate route of inventions and innovations. Each of these new industries began after one invention, that was so important for the industry concerned that it changed everything. Only the similarity between the final product and the original was maintained. Artificial silk resembled silk, artificial butter resembled normal butter and traditional soap resembled modern soap; yet the industries that produced rayon, margarine and modern soap in no way resembled the crafts that had brought forth the traditional products. Raw materials were used in an unprecedented way and machinery had to be developed. The new industries also brought forth a new type of workers. With no traditional bonds to fall back on, these workers proved difficult to organize. This will be illustrated by the labour relations in one of the most important new Dutch industries: the margarine industry.

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