German Unions: Definition, Objectives, and Impact

• Gewerkschaft: The backbone of the fair and productive working world in Germany

Definition

• A union is an association that represents the interests of dependent employees
• Their goal is to represent their economic, social, and cultural interests

Primary Objectives

• Improved working conditions
• Fair wages
• Job security
• Social security
• Increased co-determination
• Reduced working hours
• Promoting broader social changes

Activities

• Engaging in collective bargaining with employers or employer associations
• Organizing labor disputes such as strikes or warning strikes
• Advocating politically for employee rights

Impact on Working Conditions

• Unions have the power to influence working conditions in Germany
• These include co-determination and participation rights (social, personal, economic matters)
• Unions achieve this through supervisory and works councils

Collective Bargaining

• Unions negotiate with employer associations to address wage disparities
• They address income distribution between sectors

Labor Disputes

• Unions have the right to strike
• They protect against lockouts

Political Engagement

• Unions participate politically on issues such as employee rights, wages, and working conditions

Social Partnership

• An example of social partnership is VW during the 2008 economic crisis
• Unions agreed to short-time work instead of layoffs to secure jobs

Historical Overview

• The first unions emerged during the Revolution of 1848/1849
• They were founded at the national level
• Examples include the Association of Cigar Workers of Germany (1848, Berlin) and the Printers' Association (1849)
• The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) was established in 1945 in Munich
• It was led by Hans Böckler

Key Milestones

• 5-day week and 8-hour day: In 1955, the DGB unions campaigned for the introduction of the 5-day week with 40 working hours
• Co-determination: First approaches to co-determination in companies emerged in the 19th century
• Continued payment of wages during illness: In 1956/57, IG Metall secured continued payment of wages in the event of illness through a 16-week strike
• Paid leave and holiday pay: The statutory minimum holiday was set at three weeks in 1963 with the Federal Holiday Act
• Protection against dismissal: Statutory protection against dismissal was introduced in 1950 following the Hattenheim Talks between unions and employers
• Good wages: The statutory minimum wage has been in place in Germany since January 1, 2015

Labor Dispute Process

• Termination of the existing collective agreement
• The union makes new demands
• Collective bargaining takes place between the union and the employer association
• A possible agreement can be reached to form a new collective agreement
• If no agreement is reached, conciliation proceedings may begin
• If no agreement is reached, a ballot on strike action is held (≥75% approval required)
• If a strike is decided:
  • Employers may lock out employees
  • New negotiations may take place
  • If an agreement is reached, a ballot on the new collective agreement takes place (≥25% approval required) to form a new collective agreement

Current Developments

• Strikes and Strike Threats
• Verdi (United Services Union) is involved in the following:
  • Airports:
    • ver.di has been in negotiations with the Federal Association of Aviation Security Companies (BDLS) for months
    • They want to renew the collective agreement that has been in place since 2013
    • Verdi wants 8% more pay, but at least 350 euros more per month and three additional days off
    • Verdi has called for 24-hour warning strikes at 13 German airports
    • This is to exert pressure on employers in various collective bargaining disputes
    • Affected areas include ground handling services and aviation security
  • Public Service, Kindergartens and Clinics:
    • Current collective bargaining demands aim to improve working conditions in the public service
    • Includes more flexible working time models, a salary increase of 8 percent with a minimum increase of 350 euros per month, and an increase in allowances for burdensome shifts
    • For example, working in alternating shifts
    • The Verdi union is calling for warning strikes in the public sector, particularly in Munich
    • Childcare facilities are particularly affected
    • Many parents must therefore find creative solutions