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Center fights for co-determination at VW in Isenbüttel – Is that fair?
The employee organization “Zentrum” wants to elect shop stewards at VW in Isenbüttel and Gifhorn and is suing the company.
Center fights for co-determination at VW in Isenbüttel – Is that fair?
In Isenbüttel, near Gifhorn, the employee organization “Zentrum” is causing a stir at Volkswagen (VW). The association, which is closely linked to the AfD, has made the plan to elect active representatives in the company at VW. This reports News38, citing the latest developments. However, the whole thing is not that easy, because VW is vehemently blocking Zentrum's plans and describes the association as not being a union that is capable of collective bargaining.
This argument means that the Center cannot claim the special legal rights it desires. Particular attention is paid to the alleged membership base. VW strongly doubts that the center at the Isenbüttel location has members. Center, on the other hand, claims that they have six members among the approximately 150 employees at the plant. They wanted to prove this information at a chamber meeting in Braunschweig. The fight for recognition is intense, and center boss Oliver Hilburger is optimistic, recalling successful elections of representatives in other companies such as Daimler and BMW.
Legal dispute with VW
The conflict between Volkswagen and Zentrum has now taken a new turn: Zentrum has filed a lawsuit with the Braunschweig Labor Court. The aim of the lawsuit is to finally gain access to the company in Isenbüttel in order to carry out the planned shop steward elections. However, discussions in the chamber on Thursday did not result in an agreement. A verdict is expected on August 21st. How mz.de reported, the outcome of this dispute remains exciting.
The AfD-affiliated club is not in the spotlight for the first time. It was founded in 2009 as the “Automobile Center” at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Stuttgart and has since successfully organized shop steward elections in various companies, including Daimler and BMW. However, both the legal and practical recognition of Zentrum in the trade union landscape is anything but assured.
Background information on the trade union landscape in Germany
The situation at Zentrum must also be viewed in the context of the German trade unions. Loud Wikipedia The German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB) is the largest umbrella organization of member unions in Germany, and now has around 5.6 million members. The DGB is not only a big player, but also has a significant influence on working conditions in many industries. The AfD-affiliated organization, which seeks direct competition with the established unions, plans to break their influence and even significantly reduce the number of members of the DGB unions.
While the number of members of the DGB unions has declined in recent years, the question remains as to how new movements such as Zentrum can establish themselves in the long term. What is particularly noteworthy is that shop stewards, who are central contacts in the company, are currently not a legally regulated term in German labor law, which further complicates matters.
The discussion about worker representation remains heated and, depending on the outcome of the lawsuit, could have far-reaching consequences for employees and the structures in German companies. It could soon be decided in Isenbüttel whether the center will get its foot in the door.