Frankfurt am Main – IG Metall welcomes today’s adoption of a resolution by the Bundesrat to strengthen co-determination and grant works councils rights and opportunities in line with the times.
This is intended to call on the federal government to modernize workplace co-determination and reform the Works Constitution Act. The resolution contains key demands that IG Metall, together with the DGB and others, has also formulated in a comprehensive draft reform of the Works Constitution Act.
Christiane Benner, First Chair of IG Metall, highlights the need for action: “The Works Constitution Act has not undergone any fundamental reform in over 50 years. The working world of that time has about as much in common with today’s working world as a Bobby Car has with a Ferrari. Our colleagues on works councils need rights that will enable them to proactively shape the future of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and continuing education. They deserve up-to-date legal provisions that allow them to advocate for good and secure jobs! We all want Germany to become more modern and digital—and so should co-determination!”
IG Metall has been campaigning intensively for years for a fundamental reform and modernization of co-determination. Given the constantly and fundamentally changing world of work, the 2021 Works Council Modernization Act can therefore only have been a start. The union emphasizes above all the importance of the following aspects for reform:
Strengthening Co-determination – Shaping Transformation
The world of work is constantly changing: digitalization, artificial intelligence, the transition to a climate-neutral industry, and new work models present new challenges for employees and works councils. IG Metall therefore calls for a fundamental modernization of the Works Constitution Act to make co-determination fit for the future. Works councils must have a say in strategic decisions such as training, job security, and environmental protection. Co-determination is indispensable, especially during fundamental processes of change.
AI Only with Co-determination
Artificial intelligence is becoming more important in the world of work with each passing day. A key priority for IG Metall in further developing co-determination is therefore binding co-determination rights regarding the introduction and use of AI. The protection of employee data must be guaranteed and structured in collaboration with works councils. The opportunities offered by AI can only be fully realized if employees have a say in shaping them.
Facilitating Works Council Work – Combating Union-Busting
IG Metall has long called for making it easier to form works councils and for consistently prosecuting targeted obstruction and interference—so-called “union-busting.” Violations must be treated as offenses prosecuted ex officio, and protection against dismissal for those initiating works council elections must be strengthened. The hurdles to holding works council elections in compliance with the law are far too high.
Works councils stand for democracy in the workplace. Their commitment to social cohesion deserves recognition and support.
Enabling Digital Co-determination
To ensure co-determination even in modern and digital work environments, unions must have digital access to workplaces. Where work and communication take place digitally, flyers and bulletin boards can no longer be the appropriate means of choice.
Works councils and unions must be equipped with resources and access that are in line with the times.
Further information:
The draft reform proposal by IG Metall, ver.di, and the DGB can be found here: https://www.teamigmetall.de/initiative-mitbestimmung/wissen/reform-gesetzentwurf
Additional information and press photos of Christiane Benner
