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Press Release No. 29/2017 IG Metall honors dedicated works council member

Former works council chair Michael Zähringer is being honored for his advocacy for greater fairness and better working conditions at the company.

IG-Metall-Fahnen
Foto: IG Metall

14 June 2017 14 June 2017

Erfurt – Former works council chair Michael Zähringer is being honored for his advocacy for greater fairness and better working conditions at his workplace. He is receiving the “Together. Committed. Courageous – for a Bright Future!” award, presented for the first time this year as part of IG Metall’s “Zukunft Ost” project.

“The award is also intended to encourage others to actively engage in building a democratic, just, and tolerant society in eastern Germany,” said Wolfgang Lemb, executive board member of IG Metall, on Wednesday in Erfurt. “And a just society includes works councils and collective bargaining protection for employees.”

As works council chair for many years, Michael Zähringer championed the interests of employees and secured several company agreements to improve working conditions. Another key goal for Zähringer was to establish collective bargaining coverage at the company. Together with his colleagues, he was able to convince more than half of the employees to join IG Metall within half a year.

Following initial warning strikes, Zähringer was subjected to massive psychological pressure and personal hostility from management. Today he works at a different company but remains a staunch advocate for a more just society.

“Collective bargaining coverage is a central issue of justice,” Lemb clarified. This is also demonstrated by IG Metall’s latest employee survey. More than 90 percent—and in eastern Germany, nearly 95 percent—of workers are calling for greater protection through collective bargaining agreements. The figures show that IG Metall’s efforts to achieve collective bargaining coverage are successful. “Nationwide, collective bargaining coverage was achieved last year in 145 companies with 36,000 employees. That means 36,000 instances of higher pay, more vacation time, and better working conditions. People like Michael Zähringer have played a major role in this,” said Lemb.

The “Together. Committed. Courageous – for a Bright Future” award comes with a prize of 1,000 euros, and the winner also receives a sculpture. The award will be presented on June 14 at 7:45 p.m. during the IG Metall Works Council Conference in Erfurt. The laudatory speech will be delivered by Sebastian Krumbiegel, lead singer of the band “Die Prinzen.”

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