Frankfurt am Main – At the end of 2013, IG Metall recorded an increase in membership for the third consecutive year. “Our positive membership growth is not a flash in the pan; we have stabilized the trend,” said Detlef Wetzel, President of IG Metall, on Tuesday in Frankfurt. With approximately 2,000 more members than the previous year, the union is seeing a positive trend. For a sustainable IG Metall, developments among plant employees and specific employee groups—such as clerical staff, engineers, and technical experts—as well as among young people, temporary workers, and those in the service sector, are of great importance. IG Metall has seen disproportionately strong growth in these areas. “And that is why we will continue to do everything in our power to expand our membership base even further and more broadly,” said Wetzel. At the end of 2013, the number of members stood at 2.266 million.
In this federal election year, issues affecting workers played a key role in the political debate and influenced the coalition agreement. What matters most, he said, is what is written in the laws. The abuse of contract-for-service agreements must be curbed. “We want genuine co-determination through the right to withhold consent, the right to bring class-action lawsuits, a reversal of the burden of proof, and general contractor liability,” demanded Wetzel. IG Metall aims to strengthen citizens’, workers’, and union rights through an initiative for greater co-determination. “We don’t have too much co-determination—we have too little. We want to counter the economization of all areas of life with a concept of participation and democratization in the workplace and society,” said Wetzel. IG Metall will also use the upcoming European elections to campaign for a democratic, social Europe. “The future of Europe depends on the prospects of the younger generation. We will make the future of Europe’s youth a central issue in the run-up to the European elections,” said Wetzel.
IG Metall also intends to advance co-determination in works council elections. “Works council elections are democracy in action within the workplace,” said Jörg Hofmann, Second Chair of IG Metall. “Our long-term goal is: No workplace without a works council,” said Hofmann. Only with employee participation can a sustainable working society be guaranteed. IG Metall’s employee survey, in which more than half a million people participated, reveals the specific expectations placed on IG Metall. Issues include, for example, striking a balance between companies’ demands for flexibility and employees’ needs for work-life balance. To promote age-appropriate work, more career development opportunities, innovative labor policies, and flexible transitions into retirement are necessary.
IG Metall will also address future trends in industrial work more intensively through a new department dedicated to the “Future of Work.” In the context of Industry 4.0, technology and work design must be integrated. “Anyone who wants to keep industrial value creation in Germany must place people and their skills at the center of production concepts,” said Hofmann.
“Financially, IG Metall is always in a position to act,” said Jürgen Kerner, chief treasurer of IG Metall. Membership dues revenue totaled approximately 499 million euros in 2013. The focus in allocating these funds is on the members. “That is why IG Metall continues to strengthen its grassroots work—its direct engagement with members and a close-knit network of shop stewards and works council members across 155 regional offices,” said Kerner. A total of over 200 million euros is available for this purpose alone.
