Quelle: WSI
: Issue 05/2024
WSI-Mitteilungen 5/2024, pp. 327–336
Irene Dingeldey, Carmen Ludwig, Martin Seeliger
Solidarity in Transnational Working Relationships. Between Normative Demands and Complex Interaction. An Introduction to the Issue
Abstract
Transnational solidarity in labour relations is often characterised as a ‘myth’, because it is full of preconditions. The introductory article considers transnational solidarity as a multidimensional concept: It includes social and political forms of solidarity that are characterised by various motives. Specific actions range from unilateral help in emergency situations to forms of cross-border mobilisation and the formation of trans- or international organisations. The latter presuppose cooperation on the basis of exchange or reciprocity. The central point is that a new identity is emerging in connection with corresponding narratives, which is based on actions that go beyond the interests of the original group/community (limited to the national framework). This can sometimes also include accepting disadvantages in order to promote a common, overarching goal and in principle be outlined as an inclusive form of solidarity. The articles in this issue illustrate both the difficulties of building transnational solidarity and the ways in which the potential for social change inherent in the concept of solidarity can be better harnessed to strengthen social cohesion globally. At the transnational level, a continuum opens up that includes (new) forms of transnational particularism up to universalism as global solidarity between employees and with other social groups. more … (in German)
WSI-Mitteilungen 5/2024, pp. 337–345
Nicole Mayer-Ahuja
International Solidarity Forever? Transnational Labour between Fragmentation and the Struggle for Expanding the Notion of “We”
Abstract
“International solidarity” has been among the most long-standing demands of the working-class movement. At the same time, it is hard to meet, since the differences as well as the competition between wage-earners, which are unavoidable under capitalist conditions, are especially pronounced when it comes to workers in or from different world regions. In this article, it is discussed to what extent potentials for solidarity between them can still be recognised, despite all fragmentation: are there chances to expand the notion of who is “we”? It is true that companies benefit from differences (e. g. in terms of labour regulation or reproduction costs) in different parts of the world, as well as from the discrimination or exploitation of migrant workers, etc., both in terms of maximising their profits and of safeguarding their domination over workers. Nevertheless, unifying political strategies can still be envisaged, resulting from common experiences with the actual limits of freedom with regard to formally “free wage labour”, as well as from cooperation in the labour process. This applies especially to constellations in which local and migrant workers encounter each other as “colleagues”, enjoying the same rights and being represented by the same works council or trade union. more … (in German)
WSI-Mitteilungen 5/2024, pp. 346–354
Ilana Nussbaum Bitran, Irene Dingeldey
Searching for Inclusive Transnational Solidarity: Trade Unions and Posted Workers
Abstract
Posting involves the sending of employees to other EU member states to provide temporary services. Posted workers are often confronted with precarious working conditions or even labour exploitation. As they are only in the host countries for a short period of time and usually do not speak the local language, representation by the trade unions of the host country has so far been virtually impossible. To address this problem, trade unions have developed new strategies to service and organise posted workers. The authors present three initiatives: “Fair Mobility” – an advisory service, the “Membership Light” – an initiative of the German union IG BAU, and a “Transnational Membership” launched by the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF). The examples can be interpreted as forms of inclusive transnational solidarity with varying scope. One of the preconditions is that motives of self-interest (preventing a deterioration of domestic working conditions) are combined with universal class or altruistic motives (supporting the exploited). more … (in German)
WSI-Mitteilungen 5/2024, pp. 355–362
Martin Höpner, Maximilian Kiecker
Who is Declining Solidarity? Trade Unions in Conflict over the Minimum Wage Directive
Abstract
The debate over the European minimum wage directive led to conflict between the Danish and Swedish trade unions on the one hand and the rest of those represented in the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) on the other. The article traces the Nordic countries’ fundamental opposition towards the directive and identifies two causes. The first cause lies in the importance of legally enforceable individual labour law, which from a continental perspective is peculiarly low, and the corresponding strength of collective rule-making. The second cause lies in the specific experiences that Denmark and Sweden have made with European assurances that their collective models would be protected. Against this background, accusations of a lack of transnational solidarity from both sides of the conflict are inappropriate. more … (in German)
WSI-Mitteilungen 5/2024, pp. 363–370
Roland Erne, Jörg Nowak
Economic Competitive Pressure or Political EU Interventions? Catalysts of Transnational Socio-economic Protests in Europe (1997–2020)
Abstract
This article is based on a new database of transnational socio-economic protests in Europe from 1997 to 2020, which the authors compiled based on trade union-related newsletters, websites, and specialised media. During this period, the number of transnational protests increased steadily from 61 (1997–2002) to 125 (2015–2020). The analysis shows that economic horizontal competitive pressures in the more integrated European single market cannot explain this increase alone. Instead, vertical political integration by supranational EU authorities plays a central role as a catalyst of transnational protests. Vertical EU interventions that aimed to commodify public services led to most of the transnational protests in the database. In contrast, the economic horizontal competitive market pressure, which intensified after the creation of the Economic and Monetary Union, led to transnational protests in only a few cases. Hence, it is easier for trade unions and social movements to politicise vertical interventions by supranational EU-authorities than the horizontal competitive pressures triggered by transnational market forces. more … (in German)
WSI-Mitteilungen 5/2024, pp. 371–379
Martin Seeliger
The Social Construction of Transnational Solidarity On the History of the “AK InterSoli” at Volkswagen
Abstract
The Arbeitskreis Internationale Solidarität “AK InterSoli” (Working Group International Solidarity) represents a largely blind spot in the research on labour politics in the Volkswagen Group. Based on the findings of an empirical research project on its history, the author reconstructs the group’s tasks and effects in the social construction of transnational solidarity. While the group was founded on the initiative of the works council, its practical activities were carried out by union workplace representatives as well as by members of the workforce. The group’s tasks included maintaining international contacts, public relations work and political education for the workforce and the union. Through its work, the group made a significant contribution to the creation of public awareness of labour policy and acted as a transmission belt in the creation of transnational solidarity and its link back to the workforce. The group’s work also played an important role in the subsequent establishment of organs for the international representation of interests in the form of the European Works Council and the World Works Council. more … (in German)
WSI-Mitteilungen 5/2024, pp. 380–384
Kathrin Schäfers, Hendrik Simon, Lukas Zappino
Solidarity through Networking and Partnership. Transnational Project Activities of IG Metal between Challenges and Successes
Abstract
How can transnational solidarity between trade unions be established under the conditions of the global dissolution of labour boundaries? What does solidarity work mean in this context? This article answers these questions based on the International Network Initiative (NWI) launched in 2012 and 2015 and the Transnational Partnership Initiative (TPI) of IG Metall. Both approaches share the fundamental idea of combining the development and establishment of transnational trade union partnerships and networks with the strengthening of trade union structures. more … (in German)
WSI-Mitteilungen 5/2024, pp. 385–389
Astrid Schmidt, Odysseus Chatzidis, Eric Daum, Frank Sauerland
The Work of a Transnational Trade Union in a Global Corporation. The European Trade Union Alliance One Telekom Union
Abstract
This article gives an overview of the objectives and working methods of the One Telekom Union (OTU), an alliance of European telecoms unions represented within the global operations of Deutsche Telekom Group. Founded in 2016, OTU provides a platform for networking and mutual support as well as a formal framework for jointly discussing and strategically addressing issues relating to the Group and the world of work. Quarterly virtual meetings and annual in-person meetings are held for this purpose. The aim of the alliance is to reach binding agreements between trade unions and management on transnational issues. Another objective is to reach a global agreement between the Group and UNI Global Union, the global umbrella organisation of service unions. more … (in German)
WSI-Mitteilungen 5/2024, pp. 390–394
Maike Finnern, Carmen Ludwig
Transnational Solidarity in the Education Sector
Abstract
Transnational solidarity plays an important role for education trade unions – in their joint advocacy for the right to education, better working conditions in the education sector and for democratic rights. Transnational solidarity contributes to strengthening the power resources of education unions. This article examines the focal points and possibilities of the solidarity work of the German Education Union GEW. Particular importance is attached to supporting education trade unions in crisis situations and in the event of persecution. more … (in German)
WSI-Mitteilungen 5/2024, pp. 395–397
Daniel Seikel
Social Arbitrage in the European Single Market: Solidarity in Distributional Conflicts between the "Exploited"?
Abstract
The European economic constitution creates particularly intense competition regarding labour costs. Companies use the European single market to engage in social arbitrage. The associated transnational distributional conflicts between employees from different EU member states are by their nature a difficult obstacle to overcome for defence strategies based on solidarity. As the author argues in this article, it is rather the task of policy-makers to curb cross-border labour cost competition. more … (in German)
WSI-Mitteilungen 5/2024, pp. 398–402
Yasmin Fahimi
German Confederation of Trade Unions turns 75 A claim to power between continuity and change
Abstract
In October 2024, the German Confederation of Trade Unions (Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund – DGB) is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Today, we are facing the challenges of ecological, digital, demographic, and geopolitical change. Looking back, it is clear that our work has been shaped by far-reaching structural changes and crises since the early days of the Federal Republic of Germany and of the DGB. Our power claim to shape these processes of change in a democratically co-determined and socially just manner remains unchanged. This article shows that the establishment of unified trade union structures in post-war Germany as well as the orientation of our work towards the model of the social market economy and an active social partnership are of key importance for us to be able to live up to this claim yesterday, today, and tomorrow. more … (in German)