A thoughtful DGB BOSS Reiner Hoffmann on Wednesday in Berlin
Photo: dpa/ Wolfgang Kumm
The outgoing DGB chairman Reiner Hoffmann, who will not run for office again at the Federal Congress in May due to age reasons, highlighted the successes achieved in cushioning the consequences of the corona pandemic at the DGB’s annual kick-off on Wednesday in Berlin. Regulations such as the facilitation, repeated extension and gradual increase of the short-time working allowance, the increase in paid childcare days and measures for occupational health and safety carry a clear trade union signature.
Nevertheless, the conditions for the work of the trade unions had worsened due to the pandemic, as direct contact with colleagues had been severely restricted due to short-time work and home office. Hoffmann sees this as an important reason for the decline in membership last year. This amounted to around two percent in 2021, and the eight DGB trade unions now have 5.73 million members.
The DGB therefore attaches great importance to the works council elections in around 28,000 companies this year. All statistics showed that “in companies with a works council, the pay is higher and the employees have more holidays. The businesses are more family-friendly and the gender pay gap is significantly lower,” Hoffmann said. For this reason, too, it is unacceptable “that every sixth planned establishment of a works council is prevented by illegal means”. Hoffmann also expressly welcomes the fact that the new federal government wants to classify and prosecute the obstruction of works council elections as an official offense in the future.
In general, the DGB calls for a further development of co-determination. “Works councils must be given more design options. They need strong co-determination rights in the areas of employment security and personnel planning and assessment, digital forms of work and further training,” Hoffmann explained.
He also regarded the increase in the legal minimum wage to 12 euros per hour announced by the coalition as a success. However, his board colleague Stefan Körzell warned against a “dilution” of the minimum wage, as it is sought above all by some employer associations with flimsy arguments.
The new minimum wage is not a departure from collective bargaining autonomy, but a “one-time emergency brake” that has become necessary due to the rampant wage flight of many employers. According to Körzell, it must be put an end to the fact that poverty wages must be increased from tax funds, which are urgently needed for investments in infrastructure and the fight against the climate crisis. The DGB also sees a great need to catch up with tax and social policy. The question of who bears the costs for climate policy measures such as CO2 pricing is crucial for the success of the transformation. Even with the skyrocketing energy prices, stronger relief for low-income households is necessary. Furthermore, the DGB maintains its demand for a temporary rent freeze. However, the governing parties have already agreed in their coalition agreement that there should be no further rent regulations.
The Deputy DGB Chairwoman Elke Harnack warned of a “rollback” on the equal rights issue, as he had partially shown himself in the pandemic. Additional burdens such as childcare and homeschooling would primarily have to be borne by women. This must be countered, among other things, by the better promotion of budget-related services, for which the DGB has submitted proposals. Harnack also referred to the expansion of mini-jobs in the course of the minimum wage increase, which mainly affects women. Mini-jobs are a “poverty trap”, especially with regard to later pension rights. The alternative is a more comprehensive social security obligation.
Also in the debate about the corona vaccination obligation for staff in nursing homes and clinics, the trade union federation advocates an alternative way. “We are still in favour of 3G regulations, because we also assume that the safety of patients and employees will be guaranteed,” said Hoffmann.
For its external impact, the DGB has its sights set on 1 May in particular. After the pandemic-related restrictions of the past two years, “colleagues in the companies and administrations are eager for us to emphasize our demands on the streets and squares of the republic on May 1,” says Hoffmann. The somewhat unwieldy motto for this is: “Shaping the future together”.