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24 October, 2001More than 120,000 members and non-members have taken part in the German Metalworkers' Union "Future Debate".
GERMANY: The first phase of the German IG Metall "Future Debate" (Zukunftdebatte) is over. The purpose has been to ask both members and non-members what they expect from the union.
The president of IG Metall, Klaus Zwickel, is satisfied with the response. "We have reached a participation level which is without precedent in German trade union history," he says.
According to 78 per cent of the participants, the most important thing is the security of employment. 70 per cent say that the union has to do more in order to protect jobs and fight against unemployment.
Approximately two-thirds of the participants think the working time policy of IG Metall is correct and should be continued. Demand for shorter working time beyond the 35-hour week is not supported by the participants.
The report is a basis for further discussions in which politicians and scientists will be invited to join in. The aim is to achieve a strategy for the future work of the union, to be debated and approved by a congress in Leipzig in June next year.
Click on the associated link to read an interview with Klaus Zwickel on the future debate.
The president of IG Metall, Klaus Zwickel, is satisfied with the response. "We have reached a participation level which is without precedent in German trade union history," he says.
According to 78 per cent of the participants, the most important thing is the security of employment. 70 per cent say that the union has to do more in order to protect jobs and fight against unemployment.
Approximately two-thirds of the participants think the working time policy of IG Metall is correct and should be continued. Demand for shorter working time beyond the 35-hour week is not supported by the participants.
The report is a basis for further discussions in which politicians and scientists will be invited to join in. The aim is to achieve a strategy for the future work of the union, to be debated and approved by a congress in Leipzig in June next year.
Click on the associated link to read an interview with Klaus Zwickel on the future debate.