Although it is still too early for a complete evaluation, we can already state with satisfaction that
our 'new style' Staff Councils are functioning well. In connection with reorganizations where
personnel matters also played a part, it was always possible to achieve socially justified solutions
through mutual understanding.
The preparatory work for integration of the conditions of employment for personnel on monthly
wages (the former weekly paid personnel) and a large part of the personnel on monthly salary
has now progressed to such an extent that this integration would appear to be possible in the course
of the next financial year.
The 3-shift system is gradually being introduced in all the brewing and packaging departments;
this arrangement of work is increasingly preferred to the 2-shift system.
The activities in the field of training were continued unabated.
The preparations for transfer of the production of the brewery in Rotterdam to Zoeterwoude
were completed during the year under review. In close collaboration with the trade unions in
volved in our Collective Labour Agreement and with the Rotterdam Staff Council, transter ar
rangements have been devised for the personnel employed there. A gratifyingly large majority of
the employees have been found willing to continue their employment in Zoeterwoude.
With a view to representation on the new Staff Councils and partly as a result of the current views
regarding the position of the senior staff in industrial enterprises, a Senior Staff Association was
also founded in Heineken on the initiative of a group of persons concerned.
We wish to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our employees in the Netherlands
and abroad for their contribution to the good progress of the business.
EUROPE
The entry of the brewing organizations of the three new member states of the European Commu
nities to the professional organization C.B.M.C., the Alliance of Brewers in the Common Market,
has become a fact.
Many integration problems have in the meantime been raised in this enlarged context. It has,
of course, not always proved possible to reach agreement immediately on all points. We are
pleased, however, that the brewing industry of the nine countries has been able to adopt a joint
and positive standpoint with regard to a basic proposal by the European Commission, which
serves as the first stage in arriving at a complete harmonization of legislation in the field of
beer.
In all probability a Benelux system of merchandise legislation for beer will come into effect on
July i, 1974. The systems of legislation of the three countries will then be adapted to the new
regulations regarding which the respective Governments have reached agreement. It is gratifying
that in this harmonization of the law a reasonable balance has been found between the interests
of the consumer and the producer.
The harmonization of excise duties, to which we referred in our previous Report, had not yet
been accomplished at the time of going to press.
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