1 March, 2010IG Metall stresses the strategic importance of organising non-manual workers.
GERMANY: About one-third of IG Metall's local organizations have identified non-manual workers as one of their main lines of action for 2010. Structural changes in industry require that decisive action be taken to consolidate the union presence among this occupational group. White-collar workers can enhance union work but they also need to be better represented in union structures at all levels.
Whereas its overall membership has declined, IG Metall was able to strengthen its position among white-collar workers last year and it expects this trend to continue. Non-manual workers, who used to think that their education and qualifications guaranteed them a certain amount of protection, now realize that layoffs and outsourcing affect them in the same way as manual workers. Moreover, the fact that the white-collar workforce has increased in size and importance in many plants means that it now represents a major "cost block" for corporations. The growing uncertainty about jobs, wages and benefits is changing attitudes among white collar workers. During recent conflicts, IG Metall has been able to recruit new members in this occupational group who have experienced in a concrete way the benefits of union membership and solidarity.
Non-manual workers represent a diversified group of employees. Therefore, a tailored approach is needed that takes into account their different interests and expectations. Many IG Metall local organizations have integrated engineers and technical experts in their structures and are developing activities that address issues relevant to them. At the union's headquarters, there is a special task force that helps to shape IG Metall's agenda for engineers (see Flyer information for engineers). White-collar workers' forums have been set up in several places that offer a platform to discuss common issues and participate in policy-making. These forums can be a tool not only to retain members but also to attract new ones.
Today's students are tomorrow's qualified workers. In some plants as part of projects with technical schools, IG Metall has been able to win over new students who have become active members. Like other unions in other countries, IG Metall is present in many technical schools and universities in Germany through its offices which provide information and services to students and graduates, and help to raise the union profile. These offices give them the opportunity during their studies to link theory and practice, and to establish contact with enterprises. There is also a magazine dedicated to student members "Schnittstelle" with background information on studies, science and the world of work. For an overview on the technical schools and Campus offices, click the link: http://www.hochschulinformaionsbuero.de/ and http://www.students-at-work.de/