Climate-friendly industrial transformation, advancing digitalization in offices and workshops, jobs being relocated abroad: The upheavals in the world of work are immense. In her keynote address on the future at the union convention in Frankfurt am Main, Christiane Benner reaffirmed IG Metall’s power to shape the future and called on employers and policymakers to steer the transformation in the best interests of workers. At the same time, the new President of IG Metall highlighted the opportunities presented by this transformation.
“It is our mission to shape this restructuring, this transformation—in a way that preserves the foundations of our lives and our economy,” said Benner, emphasizing: “We—the metalworkers in industry and the skilled trades—can bring about this restructuring.”
Seizing the Opportunities of Transformation
At the same time, the President of IG Metall sharply criticized the behavior of some employers during the transformation. Instead of taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the transformation, many employers took the easy way out and relocated jobs abroad. “Those who simply destroy jobs instead of thinking about alternatives in a timely manner are driving people into a future without prospects. We must stop this creeping deindustrialization of Germany.”
Benner was convinced that transformation by no means automatically means the dismantling of industry and the loss of jobs. “Not everything will remain as it is today. Jobs and businesses are changing. Mathematically speaking, the transition will turn out well. There would be enough jobs in the green industry,” emphasized the IG Metall President.
New Markets, Sectors, Business Models
Using e-mobility as an example, Benner made it clear that, on the contrary, new markets, industries, and business models are emerging. New jobs are being created not only at the automakers themselves but also in battery plants, the circular economy, recycling, and the digital management of mobility. “Transformation doesn’t mean the dismantling of industry. Rather, it also gives rise to something new,” said Christiane Benner, promising: “We have a clear goal: Every worker deserves a future. We will fight for that.”
More Democracy in the Workplace
To achieve this goal, IG Metall is calling for stronger co-determination rights for employees —particularly regarding the strategic direction of businesses and companies, such as in workforce planning, staffing levels, and training. “We need expanded rights that serve to secure jobs and finally guarantee an enforceable reconciliation of interests,” Benner said in her speech in Frankfurt. She called on policymakers to adapt the laws on co-determination in workplaces and companies to the new era.
Christiane Benner emphasized that this expanded co-determination has an impact not only within companies but far beyond them: It can counteract growing uncertainty and disillusionment with politics. The IG Metall President expressed her conviction that those who experience democracy effectively in the workplace also have a more positive attitude toward democracy overall. “More democracy in the workplace leads to more democracy in our society,” said Christiane Benner.
Presentation on the Future (PDF)
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