Trade Unions in Germany History and Evolution

Trade unions in Germany have a rich history that dates back to the mid-19th century, with the first union, the German Workers' Educational Society, being founded in 1863.

The society was instrumental in organizing workers and advocating for better working conditions and fair wages.

In the late 19th century, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) emerged as a major force in German politics, and trade unions became a key part of its platform.

The SPD's emphasis on workers' rights and collective bargaining helped to establish trade unions as a powerful force in German society.

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The history of trade unions in Germany is a fascinating story that spans centuries. The first trade unions were founded in the revolution of 1848/49, with associations of workers in various occupations such as pressmen, textile workers, and metalworkers.

The Association of Cigarworkers Germany was founded in Berlin in 1848, followed by similar associations in 40 other German cities. The General German Cigar Workers Society, established in Leipzig in 1865, was the first centrally organized union in Germany.

The German unions had to reorganize several times, including after World War I and World War II. After World War II, various regional and issue-specific unions formed under the Western occupations of Germany. By 1949, the total number of members in the West German DGB was approximately 4.96 million.

Here is a list of some of the key events in the history of trade unions in Germany:

The revolution of 1848/49 marked a significant turning point in the history of trade unions in Germany. It was during this time that the first trade unions were founded on a national level.

Workers' associations were already representing the workers' class in the pre-March era, but the trade unions were a new development. Associations of cigarette, textile, and metal workers were founded in the expanding German cities.

The Association of Cigarworkers Germany was founded in Berlin in 1848, and similar associations followed in 40 other German cities. This was the beginning of a wave of unionization that would shape the course of labor history in Germany.

In 1865, the General German Cigar Workers Society was established in Leipzig, becoming the first centrally organized union in Germany. This union served as a model for many newly founded unions.

The Society of German Engineers was established in 1867, and after the Weimar Constitution allowed civil servants the right of freedom of association, it became the Union of German Engineers, still active today and the oldest union in Germany.

The Generalkommission der Gewerkschaften Deutschlands was founded in Halberstadt on 14 March 1892, representing 57 national and some local unions with approximately 300,000 people in total.

This marked a significant milestone in the history of trade unions in Germany, but it wasn't the only major development during this period. The Allgemeiner Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (ADGB) was founded in 1919 as an umbrella organisation of 52 unions with more than 3 million members, following a congress in Nuremberg from 30 June until 5 July.

The ADGB was a powerful force in German trade unions, and it's interesting to note that it may be seen as the predecessor of today's DGB.

In 1946, German unions had to reorganize once again after World War II. The Freier Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (FDGB) was founded in Berlin as a confederation of 15 unions in the Soviet occupation zone on February 9-11, 1946.

The Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB) was founded in Bielefeld on April 23-25, 1947, as a confederation of 12 unions in Allied-occupied Germany. This marked a significant step towards rebuilding the unions in Germany.

Foundations of unions in the American occupation zone began in August 1946, with the Freier Gewerkschaftsbund Hessen being founded on August 24-25, 1946. The Gewerkschaftsbund Württemberg-Baden was founded on August 30-31, 1946.

In the French occupation zone, the Gewerkschaftsbund Süd-Württemberg und Hohenzollern was founded on February 15-16, 1947, and the Badischer Gewerkschaftsbund was founded on March 1-2, 1947. The Allgemeiner Gewerkschaftsbund Rheinland-Pfalz was founded on May 2, 1947.

Here is a list of the number of members in each union as of June 30, 1949:

These numbers give an idea of the scale of the unions in Germany at the time.

The current situation of trade unions in Germany is quite interesting. The German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB) is the largest umbrella organization of unions, with eight different unions covering various sectors of German industry and public services.

In 2001, the DGB united 84% of all union members in Germany, which is a significant number. However, the number of members has been decreasing over the years, from over eleven million in 1991 to 6.19 million in 2010.

About two thirds of the 6.19 million members were actively employed in 2010. The following unions belong to the DGB: IG Metall (IGM), Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft (ver.di), IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie (IG BCE), IG Bauen-Agrar-Umwelt (IG BAU), Gewerkschaft Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten (NGG), Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft (EVG), and Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP).

The DGB's influence in worker councils has also been declining, from about three quarters of members in the 1990s to 68% in 2010.

In Germany, trade unions are considered social policy coalitions that enjoy special protection under the constitution. This means that agreements restricting or obstructing the right to form associations are invalid and illicit.

The Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany, article 9, paragraph 3, guarantees the right to form associations for the preservation and promotion of working and economic conditions.

Becoming a member of a trade union in Germany can be a great way to get support and protection in the workplace. You can join as an EU citizen and enjoy the same rights as nationals.

Trade unions are supportive communities that stand up for workers' rights, demanding fair working conditions and income. They also protect weaker people.

As a member, you'll have access to the administration and management of the trade union, and the right to vote and stand for election. This is a great way to get involved and make your voice heard.

The union membership offers many advantages, especially in terms of legal protection. Members are guaranteed free legal advice and legal representation if they have any questions regarding labour law, health and care insurance, unemployment insurance, pension insurance, or other social law issues and administrative law.

To take advantage of free legal advice or legal representation, you must have been a member for at least 3 months and have paid your membership fees. This ensures that the trade union can provide you with the support you need.

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Trade unions in Germany see themselves as more than just a collective bargaining machine, but as important political players for various social, economic, and environmental subjects.

They play a significant role in labor market policy and professional education, which is a key aspect of their influence.

In Germany, trade unions define themselves as important political players, indicating their broad range of interests and goals.

In Germany, trade unions were initially met with repression and obstructions through authorities, which weakened their movement.

The failure of the 1848-1849 revolution and subsequent restoration led to a loss of strength in the union movement, causing new repressions against unions. Only new reforms in 1869 and 1871 allowed unions to develop as trade partners of entrepreneurs' associations.

The unions' primary goal was to improve the situation of their members, leading to labor conflicts, strikes, and boycotts against business owners. Authorities responded by banning unions or obstructing them through law, as seen with Otto von Bismarck's Socialist Law in 1878.

The unions gained power and influence again at the Halbergerstadter Congress in 1892, with Carl Legien convening the Charter Conference of the General Commission of Unions in Germany. This marked a significant turning point in the union movement's history.

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In Germany, unionist organizations faced significant obstructions throughout history. The failure of the German revolutions of 1848-1849 led to a loss of strength in the union movement.

Reforms in 1869 and 1871 allowed unions to develop as trade partners of entrepreneurs' associations, but workers still had to fight for a living wage. The business owners enjoyed feudalistic privileges.

The unions led labor conflicts, strikes, and boycotts against the business owners, which caused authorities to ban or obstruct them by law. This period of repression lasted from 1878 to 1890 under Otto von Bismarck's Socialist Law.

The unions gained power and influence again at the Halbergerstadter Congress in 1892, where the Charter Conference of the General Commission of Unions in Germany was convened by Carl Legien. The unions with the largest numbers of members joined an umbrella organization in the German Reich.

The German trade unions were not directly affiliated with the Social Democratic Party, and the SPD leadership insisted on the primacy of politics.

In Germany, unions classified themselves based on the policies of political parties and occupation groups, rather than by company. This approach went back to the traditional guild constitution and the stipulations of the Halberstadter Congress.

The ADGB and Afa-Coalition were aligned with the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which had a significant influence on their policies and actions.

The Christian Unions, on the other hand, were close to the Catholic Center Party, reflecting the party's values and goals.

The RGO was closely tied to the Communist Party of Germany (KPD), sharing similar ideologies and objectives.

Employee and Employer Associations are a crucial part of the trade union landscape in Germany. Trade unions are responsible for concluding collective bargaining agreements, and their representatives also provide support to employees, such as giving legal advice and representing them in court.

Trade union representatives, however, do not have participation rights within a company. This is in contrast to employers' associations, which are organized by industrial sectors and region, and have national and state boards. They are the counterpart of trade unions during negotiations and collective bargaining agreements.

There are other umbrella organizations in Germany, such as the German Civil Service Federation (DBB), which has 1.28 million members and focuses on civil service representation. The Christian Trade Union Federation of Germany (CGB) has approximately 280,000 members in 12 individual unions.

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In Germany, works councils play a crucial role in representing the interests of employees in a company. They work closely with trade unions to address operational problems.

A works council must agree to every new hiring, and the employer must hear their opinion before each dismissal. This ensures that employees' rights are protected.

The works council also ensures a fair pay classification, determines working conditions, and stands up for the rights of trainees. They also ensure occupational health and safety and can request measures to combat racism and xenophobia in the company.

If there is no works council in your company, you can establish one. This is a great opportunity for employees to have a voice and influence company decisions.

As a member of the works council, you enjoy special protection against dismissal. Dismissal by notice of works council members is completely prohibited, and you're protected for one year after termination of membership.

The works council can conclude Organisation-level agreements with the employer, which are generally valid for all employees or certain employee groups. These agreements can define payment entitlements, such as commissions, wage extra payments, or annual target planning.

Here are some key powers and organisational options of a works council:

Employee and Employer Associations are a crucial part of the labor landscape in Germany. Trade unions, for example, have a main function of concluding collective bargaining agreements.

Trade unions are also responsible for supporting employees or the works council, often providing legal advice and representing employees in court. However, they do not have participation rights within a company.

Employers' associations, on the other hand, are mostly organized by industrial sectors and region, with national and state boards. They serve as the counterpart to trade unions when negotiating and concluding collective bargaining agreements.

Other umbrella organizations, such as the German Civil Service Federation (DBB), have a significant presence with 1.28 million members in 2015. The DBB focuses on civil service representation and competes with DGB unions in the public sector.

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The Christian Trade Union Federation of Germany (CGB) also exists, with approximately 280,000 members in 12 individual unions, according to its own figures.

Some specialized branches have formed their own separate unions, feeling underrepresented by the DGB. Examples include the VC, GdF, GDL, and the Marburger association of clinicians, which have a higher degree of organization than average, up to 80%.

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