PRESS RELEASE NO. 31/2019 Works Council Award: Recognition for Transformation Projects at Siemens AG

Bonn – “Co-determination, committed workforces, and strong works councils are essential to ensuring that transformation is shaped in the best interests of employees,” said Jörg Hofmann, President of IG Metall, on Thursday in Bonn during his laudatory speech honoring the winners of the Works Council Award in the Gold category.

The award went to the General Works Council of Siemens München AG and the Works Council of Siemens Tübingen AG for transformation projects that secured jobs and preserved the Tübingen location. “The works councils did not stand idly by, but actively helped shape the structural change—the transformation,” said Hofmann.

Staff cuts, relocations, and plant closures were on the table. The General Works Council was not willing to accept that. The conflict, which the employee representatives fought alongside IG Metall, culminated in the “Future Agreement” on structural change. It secures a “Future Fund” of 100 million euros over the next four years for Siemens AG employees to support their retraining through continuing education measures, learning programs, and the necessary tools.

At the Tübingen site, which had been operating at a loss for some time, employees and the works council—with the support of IG Metall—presented plans to achieve cost savings and secure jobs. Today, thanks to the Future Fund and the commitment of the workforce and the works council, the Tübingen plant is a flagship digital facility.

The Siemens works councils were supported by a project from IG Metall’s “Work and Innovation” program. Through these projects, the union supports works councils, shop stewards, and in-house experts during the transformation process.

“The transformation will only succeed if investments are made, if people are at the center of the process, and if the tools of co-determination are utilized,” said Hofmann.

Further information on the Works Council Award

To the article “Mission Successfully Accomplished”

www.betriebsraetetag.de