A page is turning for Germany’s second largest trade union.* The 1.9 million members of the services union Verdi are to get a new president as its founding leader Frank Bsirske (age 67) steps aside following 18 years at the helm. On 24 September 92% of the 1,000 delegates attending Verdi’s national congress meeting in Leipzig voted Frank Werneke into the role of President. In an address on the day after his election, the union’s hitherto 17-year vice-president presented its primary axes for action for the years ahead. Following his predecessor Mr. Werneke is seeking to make Verdi ‘stronger’ and provide it with the means to sign collective agreements in companies refusing the same. To this end the union must continue to grow and retain its membership. The new president also called on the government to take measures that can stem the crumbling system of collective agreements and to strengthen collective negotiation.
Not a week goes by without Verdi strike action. For many, “Frank Bsirske was Verdi and Verdi was Frank Bsirske,” aptly recalled Germany’s President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In 2001 Verdi was created from the merger of five large trade unions and since that time has been continuously led by Frank Bsirske who was voted as its head fives times in a row (c.f. article No. 9268 and No. 6074). A Green party member Frank Bsirske is both a skillful negotiator and a ‘hands-on’ member, with an ability to
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