analysis
Trade unions are sometimes recording a sharp increase in membership numbers – many young people also want to organize themselves into unions. Researchers are observing a new self-confidence among employees.
It’s good news for the unions: membership numbers are increasing. This applies to small organizations such as the food-pleasure-restaurants union (NGG) as well as to the large service union ver.di.
Almost 130,000 new members joined IG Metall last year. “Ver.di is well received by young people,” said chairman Frank Werneke. The last time a comparable positive membership development occurred was in the mid-1980s, when the unions fought for a 35-hour week.
Less prestige, less influence
This is an unusual development, because many unions have been in the same situation as other institutions for years: demographic developments are becoming noticeable. Older members are slowly dying away or retiring.
In the past few decades, collective bargaining coverage in Germany has continuously declined, write researchers at the trade union-affiliated Economic and Social Sciences Institute of the Hans Böckler Foundation (WSI). “In 2022, only just under a quarter of all companies and around half of all employees were bound to a collective agreement.” And this is not just a problem for small and micro businesses. For many unions, this means above all: less prestige, less power and less influence.
Strikes are good for Membership recruitment
The fact that young people in particular are showing renewed interest in organizing as unions may have something to do with the many strikes in the recent past. Whether in retail, at airlines or most recently at Deutsche Bahn: many employees have stopped their work to take to the streets for higher wages and better working conditions – sometimes for several days.
The economic situation and the growing shortage of skilled workers and workers are creating a new self-confidence among many employees. “Whether Germany is economically future-proof and remains competitive also depends to a large extent on whether well-trained and qualified employees are available,” say the researchers at WSI. Many employees want appropriate appreciation. Being organized in a trade union provides momentum to reinforce the demands.
The world of work is changing
However, trade union researcher Hagen Lesch from the employer-oriented Institute of Economics (IW Cologne) does not want to speak of a long-term trend. Especially since many baby boomers will soon be retiring. You belong to the generation in which, at least in some industrial sectors, it was natural for many employees to be unionized.
And what you shouldn’t forget: the world of work is changing. For decades it was common practice for employees in the company to work together in one place, but now cross-location teamwork is the order of the day. This often happens across national borders.
In addition, work processes and work organizations are changing. “Atypical employment relationships will increase,” fears Christiane Benner, the chairwoman of IG Metall, the largest individual union in Germany. “Good work in transformation” is the big challenge. The unions must find new answers to this. If the number of members increases, there is more room for negotiation and design.