Political Dimension of Trade Union Work – Experiences from Germany

1. Political Dimension of Trade Union Work – Experiences from Germany International Training Centre of the ILO, Turin (Italy) 28 June 2007

2. Contents • Historical dimension • Why German trade unions prefer laws • Where German trade unions have an impact on political matters • How German trade unions use their political power / influence • New challenges in a changing world: recruitment new members

3. Some history I • In Germany the Social Democratic Party was founded first (1863) • Later the Trade Union movement followed (at about 1890) influenced by the Social Democratic Party • The Party was responsible for fighting democracy and establishing a better society especially for the workers and their families • The Trade Unions were responsible for relieving the distress of the workers

4. Some history II • Before WW II there were 3 different ideological groups of Trade Unions: • Socialists TU (+ a very small communist opposition, RGO) • Christians TU • Liberal TU • After WW II all TU leaders wanted to stand united to make sure that there will be never again a dictatorship in Germany • the idea of the “Einheitsgewerkschaft” was born

5. Some history III • „Einheitsgewerkschaft“: • One plant – one union • Politically neutral, but not apolitical

6. Some history IV • Social Market Economy: (Art.20 German Constitution) • Art.9 German Constitution: Freedom of Association • Art.14 German Constitution: Ownership creates duties • Works Constitution Act, 1952 • Collective Agreement Act, 1953 • Co-Determination, 1952 / 1976

7. Why German trade unions prefer laws for workers protection • A legal claim for everybody • Kind of protection even in non-organised plants or workplaces • Follow-up of a result of a CBA in an important branch ( e.g. continuation of payment for sick workers)

8. Where German TU have an impact on political matters • Works Constitution Act (works councils) • Co-Determination • Collective Agreement Act • Labour Laws • Social Laws (Health insurance, Pensions, Unemployment, Professional accident insurance association) • Industrial policy (Environmental protection, CO2-Trade Emission, GMO)

9. How German trade unions use their political power / influence Works Constitution Act • TU are educating and consulting works council members (at about 80% of them are organised by IG BCE) • TU are making proposals for amendments of the law or comments on a draft bill from the government

10. Co-Determination • On shop floor level: The works council has several rights of information, consultation and rejection b) On company level: Workers’ representatives are elected to the supervisory board From 500 to 2000 workers: one third workers’ reps More than 2000: half of the seats, including TU officers bb) On company level in the steel and coal industry: real 50% of the votes and the workers are electing the board member responsible for HR Influence will be informal on economic decisions and their impact on working places.

11. Collective Agreement Act • Legal frame guarantees the TU the indepen-dency of their negotiations with the employers • No influence on CBA by the government • Requirements for TU to make sure there will be no “management controlled union”

12. Labour Laws • TU are excepted by law to assist their members at court in the case of any labour conflict • TU have the right to make comments on any draft bill of the government • Direct talks with the government • Mass demonstrations

13. Social insurance system I • Health insurance • Statutory pensions insurance • Unemployment insurance • Professional accident insurance association (Berufsgenossenschaften) All these institutions are self-administered, which means the TU on behalf of the workers name 50% of the board members and therefore have influence on what will be done with the benefits of these institutions in particular cases.

14. Social insurance system II • TU are debating changes in the national health system as one lobby group • Fighting for more OSHE and for compensation in the case of an occupational disease / Berufsgenossenschaften • Decide on training courses for unemployed • Mass demonstration against cuts in the social system • Talks with the government on high level • The IG BCE solved some problems together with the employer association in a CBA and shows thereby the way to a political solution, e.g. additional pension plan or training on the job oportunities

15. Industrial policy • Environmental protection • Carbon dioxide trade emission • Black coal policy • Energy policy • Chemical policy: REACH, GMO • Pharmaceuticals There is a lot of lobbying to increase the framework conditions for more and securewd working places for the future. Sometimes lobbying is against some public opinions Sometimes lobbying together with the German government is directed against the EU-commission

16. New challenges: how to organise new members • Challenges: • Decreasing membership • More white-collar workers, who can hardly be convinced to become union member • Less blue-collar workers, who are easy to recruit • Individualism needs more arguments • On the way to deal with the challenges: • Special offers for target groups • More public campaigns to draw the attention of the workers • Offer better service to our members

17. Innovative ads: Model Germany – first the people!

18. Image campaign „Model Germany“ • Offensive Education • Decent work • Family friendly human resource policy • Healthy man in a healthy company ----------------------------------------------- DGB – Trendwende : campaign to change the trend of decreasing membership of TU

19. Thanks for your attention !