For Hofmann, the focus is on preparing workers for the upcoming changes. This commitment gives rise to concrete demands on the world of work, politics, and society. “We are living in an age of transformation, in which half a dozen megatrends are raising questions of enormous significance. We at IG Metall want to shape these changes—in a way that brings not less, but more justice and solidarity.”
The IG Metall president assessed the results of the exploratory talks between the CDU/CSU and the SPD: “Compared to the agreements reached during the Jamaica coalition negotiations, the current outcome of the exploratory talks addresses policy areas that are central to us and, from the employees’ perspective, contains positive elements.” Other unresolved and contentious issues must be addressed or corrected during coalition negotiations. “The goal of a just and sustainable transformation of the economy and society must be made clearer. Should coalition negotiations take place, IG Metall will monitor them critically.”
Demand: Work Hours That Fit With Life
In the ongoing collective bargaining round for the metal and electrical industries, IG Metall is also making an important contribution to managing the transformation with its package of demands. For example, the demand for an optional choice of shorter working hours is an important step toward greater self-determination in the working world of the future. “Workers need working hours that fit their lives and also open up opportunities for continuing education,” said Hofmann.
Flexibility in favor of employees is also the right answer to prevent workforce exodus and a shortage of skilled workers. “Employers’ fear-mongering campaigns will backfire on them. Industry will move elsewhere if it cannot find enough skilled workers. Our demand ensures that our industry becomes more attractive—not only, but especially for the many qualified women in the country,” explained the union leader.
Zero Tolerance for Incitement of Hatred
Hofmann also believes IG Metall is well-positioned for the upcoming works council elections from March 1 through May 31. In addition to a high voter turnout, he cited increasing the proportion of IG Metall members on works councils as one of the union’s goals. He issued a clear rejection of right-wing populism: “There is no place for racism and incitement to hatred in the workplace. Anyone who seeks to sow division will find a determined opponent in IG Metall.”
The vice chair of IG Metall, Christiane Benner, provided a detailed breakdown of IG Metall’s membership figures. “In 2017, we succeeded in becoming more educated, more female, and younger in the workplace.” The upward trend among company employees continued, with an increase of 0.7 percent to a total of 325,247 members. The number of female members in the workplace also continued to grow compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 255,880 women.
Work 4.0 Needs a Welfare State 4.0
It is encouraging that young women, in particular, are joining IG Metall. “This is the result of our new outreach strategy, as we are increasingly adapting to the ever-more-diverse paths young people take into working life. Today, we are equally recruiting apprentices, dual-track students, and university students,” Benner emphasized. Over the past ten years, the union has even increased its membership in this sector by 40,000 members. As of the end of 2017, 130,436 young people starting their careers were members of IG Metall, including 50,000 students alone.
IG Metall’s investment in outreach projects has also contributed to this positive result. Over a nine-year period, IG Metall is investing an additional 191 million euros. A total of 140 additional positions have now been created directly on-site. “This work began to bear fruit in 2017,” Benner explained. “We achieved the membership targets we had set for ourselves there.”
Digitalization is bringing about major changes both inside and outside of workplaces. That is why IG Metall is also actively advocating for crowdworkers and their working conditions. “Work 4.0 needs a Welfare State 4.0,” demanded the second chairperson of IG Metall. “The inclusion of solo self-employed workers in statutory pension and health insurance is long overdue.”
Focus on Training
Jürgen Kerner, chief treasurer of IG Metall, emphasized the union’s full capacity for action in light of the ongoing collective bargaining round. In 2017, IG Metall’s membership dues revenue rose by 2.5 percent to approximately 561 million euros. Kerner cited successful grassroots work as the primary reason for this encouraging development: “We’ve seen an increase in dues for years because our activists in the workplaces and our local offices do excellent membership outreach. And because we’re strong enough to achieve good collective bargaining results.” Last year, IG Metall set aside 84 million euros in new reserves. “This also allows us to further strengthen our strike fund. Our members are the foundation of our financial strength and independence. IG Metall is in a strong financial position and capable of taking action at any time,” Jürgen Kerner emphasized.
The union’s educational initiatives are also a key focus. In 2017, approximately 94,000 members took advantage of IG Metall’s educational offerings—9,000 more than in 2014. “Investing in education is an investment in the future of our members and in the future of our union. Following the works council elections, training for newly elected works council members will be a key focus of our work starting in the second half of the year,” said Kerner.
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