On Wednesday, March 28, a group of German academics, lawyers, and union and political representatives published, in the New York Times, an open letter to “T-Mobile USA and other US subsidiaries of German companies,” claiming that these businesses’ employees “should be able to exercise their unrestricted right to opt for organized representation in the company without fear.” Their “freedom of association and freedom of opinion as human rights are especially vital” for the signatories (who notably include former Ministers of Labor Franz Müntefering, SPD, and Norbert Blüm, CDU, as well as the former leader of the IG BCE chemistry union, Hubertus Schmoldt), because “employees are in a structurally weaker position compared to employers.” Therefore, they ask that these companies “end all collaboration with U.S. consultants who advise employers how to fight employee representation,” arguing that “practical experiences and scientific studies show that this model will ultimately be harmful to the company.”
hat these companies “end all collaboration with U.S. consultants who advise employers how to fight employee representation,” arguing that “practical experiences and scientific studies show that this model will ultimately be harmful to the company.”
The European model. “In the US working people face an atmosphere of constant intimidation, always pushing for lower wages, cuts in benefits, longer working hours, and subservience” deplored Dave Johnson, from Campaign for America’s Future. He added
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