Strong voices for workers' rights: the role of trade unions in Germany
Trade unions in Germany
A trade union is an association that represents the interests of employees in economic, social, and cultural issues. Trade unions have mostly emerged from the European labor movement and have fought for higher wages, better working conditions, more co-determination, shorter working hours, and, in some cases, broader changes in society. They aim to overcome the isolation of and competition between workers covered by individual employment contracts through collective bargaining - with the goal of defining general and binding rules (for all workers) with collective agreements or by law.
Democracy and Political Independence
Labor unions are protected by the German constitution (Grundgesetz) as a form of freedom of association. They are legally recognized pillars of democracy. In Germany, they are politically independent, which is why they are funded exclusively by their members and cannot accept any other funding
Bargaining Power
The more members a company has in a trade union, the higher and better the so-called “organization level”. If the organization level is high, the bargaining power vis-à-vis the employer increases. Think of it as a seesaw: The more members there are, the more pressure there is to get better working conditions. The fewer members and the more isolated workers are, the less pressure there is on the employer to respond to employees' requests for improvements and demands. It’s just that simple: One worker can be easily ignored. With fifty, the employer might start to listen. Imagine what happens when there’s two hundred of you!
Confidentiality
Trade unions must treat information with utmost confidentiality, prohibiting representatives from disclosing membership details. Whether someone is a member is highly sensitive and must be protected to maintain trust and security. This information should not be shared with employers to prevent discrimination or negative consequences. Confidentiality is crucial for the union’s integrity and effectiveness in advocating for workers’ rights and interests.
Freedom of Association
Every employee has the right to join associations that help them to improve their working conditions. Some people interpret this as being against employers. But it should be noted that your employer is probably organized too - usually in employers' associations, in addition to having access to consultants, and lawyers. If they can do it, so can you!
Our history
Our trade union was founded in 1949. Since then, we have campaigned nationally and internationally for fair living conditions, living wages and good work.
Learn more about the IG Metall history.
