Trade unions on the move: peace conference as a turning point in Salzgitter

Trade unions on the move: peace conference as a turning point in Salzgitter

In a sign of change and solidarity, the third “Trade Union Conference for Peace” took place in mid-July in the fully occupied trade union building in Salzgitter. Organized by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and IG Metall Salzgitter-Peine, the event attracted around 250 committed young participants on site, while over 1,000 interested people followed the stream. This conference was seen as an important venue for trade union debate and guidance, particularly at times when social and societal tensions are increasing.

The main theme of the conference was the progressive militarization of society, which has increased in the last three years. More and more people expressed criticism of the influence of advertising on everyday life and the associated consequences for the welfare state. Ver.di chief economist Dierk Hirschel pointed out that the financing of armaments has noticeable negative effects not only in educational institutions, but also in public services. In a climate of sacrifice, employers are demanding wage cuts and extended working hours, which is further increasing employees' concerns.

Conflicts and social achievements

A central topic was also the discussion about distribution conflicts and attacks on labor and trade union rights. The conference showed that the growing threat of war is the result of a systemic crisis of capitalism. Ingar Solty from the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung explained the complex crisis dynamics that extend across various social and economic levels. This insight highlighted the need for unions to actively address issues of war and peace.

The discussions took place across party-political boundaries and the importance of a solidarity-based trade union strategy was pointed out in order to specifically address both war and peace. The conference was hailed as a real milestone for the trade union debate on war and peace and is intended to serve as a starting point for further regional discourse. The danger of a third world war was urgently warned and the urgency of a union-based peace movement was emphasized.

A look into the history of trade unions

To better understand the context of the current discussions, it is worth taking a look at the history of trade unions. After the National Socialists came to power on January 30, 1933, free trade unions in Germany ended. The subsequent occupation of the union buildings on May 2, 1933 by SA and SS commandos led to the founding of the German Labor Front, which severed the last connection to the original workers' organizations. After the Second World War, trade unions were allowed to be founded again in Germany, which led to the founding of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) 1949 led.

The years since have been marked by great achievements: wage increases, a reduction in working hours to 40 hours per week and the introduction of Christmas bonuses are just a few milestones. Nevertheless, according to the DGB, the number of members has decreased significantly since 1991 - from 12 million to 5.7 million in 2021. This decline in membership is associated with the decline of traditional industrial sectors and globalization. Despite these challenges, the DGB remains active and fights for workers' rights.

The harmony of current debates and trade union history shows how important it is to raise awareness of social justice and peace. The developments of the last few years clearly show that social achievements are not set in stone and the need for a coherent strategy for the future remains undisputed.