Happy winners, a lively atmosphere: No fewer than five projects from the IG Metall sector were honored with the Works Council Award this year. For the first time, the award ceremony took place in Berlin at the Works Council Forum #BR26. On September 16 and 17, over 800 participants from the workplace, labor unions, politics, and academia gathered there to exchange ideas and network.
Prior to the event, a jury of experts had selected a total of nine winners from numerous applications in the categories of small, medium, and large works councils and co-determination bodies. In each category, the jury awarded one gold, one silver, and one bronze prize. The project leaders from IG Metall were delighted to receive three gold awards and two bronze awards—demonstrating the enormous scope and the significant creative and impactful potential that works council work and representation for employees with severe disabilities can achieve.
Outstanding Work
In the category of small works council committees, the the representative body for employees with severe disabilities at Körber Technologies GmbH, Hamburgreceived the gold award “ ” for introducing an inclusion system for people with disabilities. “We wanted to bring colleagues with disabilities from the workshops into the main plant,” says Carsten Schmela, representative for employees with severe disabilities at Körber Technologies in Hamburg-Bergedorf. “Our goal was to integrate these employees into the workforce on an individual basis.” They succeeded—and then some: Since 2022, the initial idea has evolved into a growing system at the mechanical engineering company’s site—a dynamic process that enables employees with disabilities to participate in various ways.
The works council of Maschinenfabrik ALFING Kessler GmbH, Aalenwas honored with a gold award in the “Medium-Sized Bodies” category. Under the title “Shaping Change. Securing the Future,” the body contributed significantly to the successful transformation. Step by step, the crankshaft manufacturer—which had been heavily dependent on the internal combustion engine—evolved into a supplier of high-precision components for various applications. Instead of facing the threat of workforce reductions of up to 25 percent, employment was not only secured but also significantly expanded. At the same time, the work environment, trust within the company, and the location’s image all improved. The project demonstrates that employee participation can not only accompany transformation but also successfully shape it.
Shaping Transformation
The bronze trophy was accepted by the works council of BROSE Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. KG, Würzburg. It not only prevented closure plans but also opened up new prospects for the future. “Our location is secure until at least the end of 2030. The closure plans are off the table,” says works council member Yves Weinberger. But even more was achieved. “At our initiative, Brose will enter the aerospace sector in the future. The first cooperation agreements have been signed. With this strategic milestone, we have opened up a sustainable future for the company that will carry us well into the next decade. We expect the company to recognize and seize these opportunities.”
The German Works Council Award in Gold for large committees was presented to the works council of Airbus Operations GmbH, Hamburg. The works council members initiated a project to design new, hybrid office concepts. “Traditional office environments had long since ceased to fit the flexible reality, and at the same time, limited space at the Hamburg location forced us to consider new space concepts to secure long-term growth and employment,” says works council member Malte Delventhal. “We had to do something. It was time.”
Taking Strategic Action
The Works Council of AUMOVIO Germany GmbH, Babenhausen, received the Bronze Award for developing scenarios to preserve the site. “For years, we’ve been operating in a challenging environment at this site, marked by transformation, competition, geopolitics, and constant restructuring,” says Anne Nothing, the project’s initiator and former Works Council chair at the site. “Our goal was to take a strategic initiative ourselves and stay ahead of the wave of corporate decisions.” They succeeded in doing so. “With the help of two experts, we drew on the expertise of the Hans Böckler Foundation and formed our own works council strategy team, which received intensive support and guidance from the two experts,” says Claus-Dieter Jost, who has been the works council chair at the site since mid-March.
The five award-winning projects clearly demonstrate that works council work pays off—for the employees, for the company, and for each and every individual. One thing is especially clear these days and weeks: Works councils are more important now than ever.
Together, a Strong Team
Many companies are in crisis, cutting jobs, relocating, or closing down. In many companies in the automotive and supplier industries, jobs, locations, and the future of employees are at stake. That is why IG Metall is calling for a nationwide automotive day of action on September 21, 2026 . Because: Our jobs, our locations, and our future are non-negotiable!
IG Metall, the shop stewards, the works council, and the employees are a strong team: Together, we make jobs fairer and more secure. Together, we ensure career prospects and secure fair pay.
Serving on a works council is a worthwhile endeavor—and as a works council member, you’ll receive our full support: IG Metall provides newly elected works council members and newly formed works council committees with advice and practical assistance. We train works council members for their roles. We equip works council members with the knowledge they need on all key legal and economic issues. And we foster strong networking: We enable works council members to exchange ideas with other employee representatives at conferences, networking events, or seminars at our training centers.
