On April 15 the big four German industrial unions: IG Metall (Metals), IG BAU (Construction), IG BCE (Chemicals/Energy), and EVG (Rail) signed an agreement aimed at “better representing German industry’s workers in an ever changing economic, technological and social context.” The agreement will try to limit flashpoints between the big four and curb growing competition between them. The Confederation of German unions (DGB, the union umbrella organization, officially retains its high level authority, its structures and its mediation procedures but some see this new agreement as proof of a growing ideological split between the big organizations, for the most part industry bodies, and those generally smaller organizations that are oriented more towards the service sector.
Ring fencing competence and scope. “Businesses and value chains in the sectors of activity where these four unions are active are becoming increasingly intertwined and this is becoming a source for inter union competition. If our goal is to retain union influence over economic processes and social progress then stronger cooperation is called for.
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