Bonn – This year’s Gold Works Council Award goes to the works council of automotive supplier Gestamp Griwe in Haynrode, Thuringia. The council is being honored for its work to secure the site’s existence and future.
In September 2020, the company’s management announced plans to award future orders to a site not bound by collective bargaining agreements and to lay off up to 145 employees. This withdrawal of orders could have led to the site’s closure in the medium term. The works council and employees countered these plans with clear commitment. Member meetings, town hall meetings, constant feedback from colleagues, and the formation of an action group were the first steps. During the deliberations of the company conciliation committee—which the works council had demanded—it became clear that management’s claims regarding an alleged shortage of skilled workers and a lack of new orders were untenable.
Through a widely supported petition calling for the expansion of production, the construction of new facilities, and investments in future-proof products—combined with significant pressure on the employer—the works council at Gestamp Griwe Haynrode GmbH was able to thwart management’s plans. Instead of layoffs and closure scenarios, the process ultimately resulted in new orders, an annual increase in revenue of 25 million, and investments in the site.
Christiane Benner, Second Chair of IG Metall and the speaker honoring the company at this year’s award ceremony, sees this as one of the key arguments for a comprehensive overhaul of co-determination: “The example set by our colleagues in Haynrode shows that works councils have the right ideas and the best visions for the future! This case underscores our demand that, under a reformed, modern Works Constitution Act, works councils be granted more co-determination rights regarding the strategic direction of companies. Then we could finally and more effectively counter the employers’ uninspired, perpetually repetitive plans.”
Christiane Benner also sees the award ceremony as a positive signal for other works councils: “Our colleagues at Gestamp are an inspiration for how to create prospects for the future through co-determination even in seemingly hopeless situations. Especially when the future is challenging!”
Background on the Works Council Award:
The “German Works Council Award” is an initiative of the renowned trade journal “Arbeitsrecht im Betrieb.” Since 2009, it has recognized the commitment and successful work of works councils that are dedicated to the long-term preservation or creation of jobs, the improvement of working conditions, or the management of crises within companies. Each year, a high-caliber jury composed of representatives from labor unions, academia, and proven practitioners selects winners from a consistently large number of submitted projects.
More than 1,000 committees have applied for the German Works Council Award since the first call for entries. Public attention and recognition for exemplary advocacy—regardless of industry, company size, or union affiliation—is the central idea behind this nationally renowned award.
The award is presented once in each of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories.
In addition, the jury awards various special prizes.
Further information and press photos of Christiane Benner
