PrintShare
The German Federation of Trade Unions is also calling for protests in Offenbach on May 1st. In the interview, chairwoman Brigitte Bach-Grass talks about the meaning of “Labor Day”.
Offenbach – The German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB) has also called for a demonstration with a central rally in Offenbach on May 1st. From the trade union building on Berliner Straße we will go to Wilhelmplatz at 10.30 a.m., where keynote speaker Manuel Schmidt from IG Metall will speak from 11 a.m. The campaign is entitled “Advocate for the collective bargaining change: more wages! More freetime! More safety!”
As in 2023, the German Federation of Trade Unions invites you to the traditional demonstration followed by a rally in Offenbach’s city center. © Martin Kuhn.
We spoke in advance with the DGB district chairwoman Brigitte Bach-Grass about the importance of the workers’ day of struggle, the many strikes this year and the major tasks facing the trade union federation.
Ms. Bach-Grass, what significance does Labor Day still have today, especially for the unions in Offenbach?
Labor Day is gaining importance again. The effects of the pandemic and the current crises caused by wars show how important good pay and good working conditions are. And also that the interest groups in the companies and the trade unions ensure that employee rights are respected. It is particularly important for Offenbach that the residents have adequate income because this is reflected in the tax revenue in the municipal budget.
Recently, the unions have been very present in the media, in addition to the GDL, especially your home union ver.di with its strikes in public transport. Voices are getting louder saying: enough of the many strikes. What do you say to these voices?
Simply put, the answer can only be that the right to strike is a fundamental right for a reason and is one of the most important achievements of a basic social and democratic order. Ultimately, all employees benefit from the right to strike, even if sometimes only indirectly, because otherwise there would be little movement in pay and general conditions.
The DGB federal chairwoman Yasmin Fahimi has warned of the “economic damage caused by tariff evasion”. The DGB wants to counteract this with a major campaign. What other major construction sites do you see for German workers?
It is also important to balance the effects of the transformation and that colleagues are supported by their unions in the process. For this purpose, more comprehensive co-determination rights are important. Because no one knows the operational conditions better than the employees, regardless of their nationality. Pay and working conditions in the nursing and education professions are also an important area.
Young people in particular often have little use for the classic union idea. What is the DGB doing to get them excited about its work?
The DGB and its individual unions are increasing their presence on social media and offering information platforms in vocational schools and training fairs. There are also extra-company educational opportunities specifically for “young people”. However, the most effective approach is still through operational practice.
A thought experiment: You can immediately change one thing at a political level for employees in Germany. Which would that be?
The introduction of the general validity of collective agreements.
The interview was conducted by Philipp Bräuner.