Henri Polak, chairman of the ANDB, was also one of the founders of the SDAP (Social Democrat Workers' Party). He co-wrote the party programme, of which a draft is shown here with his comments, to be discussed at the founding meeting of the party.
The ANDB organized some 80% of the diamond workers in the Netherlands. This gave the union a strong position in negotiating with employers. When the union called for a strike, the whole diamond industry came to a standstill. The photograph shows diamond workers at a large strike meeting where the strategy was discussed
The ANDB (General Dutch Union of Diamond Workers) had a library for their members. In 1902 it contained 2353 books, a large number for those days, in the fields of literature, arts and popular science. The library was very popular, and offered the diamond workers opportunities to educate themselves.
The ANDB (General Dutch Union of Diamond Workers) in its early was a federation of small unions. This banner belongs to the organization of assistants of brilliant polishers.
The ANDB (General Dutch Union of Diamond Workers) in its early was a federation of small unions. This banner belongs to the organization of patrons of cap polishers (the cap being the top part of certain polishing forms).
Tuberculosis was the most common deadly disease among workers at the beginning of the 20th century. The ANDB set up a fund to sent diamond workers to sanatoria and to finance research. It was called Zonnestraal (Sunbeam). This poster was designed by the architect Duiker who built Sanatorium Zonnestraal, still world famous for its progressive and functional style.
In 1911 the ANDB (General Dutch Union of Diamond Workers) reached the eight hour working day, which was propagated by the labour movement under the slogan 'eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, eight hours of sleep. This milestone was celebrated on a large scale. Here decorations for the union's headquarters are proudly shown.
This print was made on occasion of the 10th anniversary of the ANDB, when the union was involved in the biggest strike in its history. Employers had sent their workers home without payment, in reply to demands from the union. The ANDB however had large funds and managed to sustain longer than the employers, who after three months had to comply to most of the union's demands.
Henri Polak was the founder and chairman of the ANDB (General Dutch Union of Diamond Workers). He introduced modern union strategies and a modern organizational structure to the Netherlands. The painting was a present from union members, thanking Polak and the ANDB for the attainment of the eight hour working day.
100 Years after its foundation the Socialist International held a congress in Amsterdam. Participants were offered a box of cigars with portraits of socialists on the bands, such as Marx, Engels, Bebel and Bakunin.
