What people in the civilized world have achieved was only possible because experience taught them that respect and tolerance are the basis of all coexistence. Whether across borders in high politics or on a smaller scale in companies. Their successes, ultimately, are only possible because participation and co-determination make trustful work for the benefit of all possible. The founding of a works council is therefore not an affront to company management, but a social positioning of a workforce. Unfortunately, some managements still see it differently and make the lead-up to co-determination of an elected representation of employees a ’rocky path’.
What takes a long time has the chance to finally turn out well
There are many ways employers can impose a tight corset on their workforce. These include questionable employment contracts, a quota of temporary workers that is lucrative for them, and not least the covert interference and harassment of employees who advocate the establishment of a works council. That constant dripping wears away the stone was demonstrated in a magnificent way by two employees of a materials management center based in northern Germany. To the lack of co-determination opportunities already frequently criticized by Verdi and IG Metall, the two men added by demanding better pay and a more respectful way of treating people. Because they always had to expect reprisals from management, they planned to convene an electoral committee to elect a works council – initially still covertly. The leaking of their plan led management to resort to unimaginable, inhumane measures. These ranged from flimsy reasons for the dismissal of some employees who had joined their initiative to the embarrassing removal by police from the company premises when they wanted to continue working. In the end, their persistence persuaded the parent company to relent and accept the election of a works council. At the beginning of September this year it was time. In a personal ballot, nine works council members were elected from over forty candidates. That, according to IG Metall, the representative body reflects the workforce structure only unevenly may seem subjective. But it highlights the initial suspicion of a lack of knowledge among the entire workforce in handling a works council election.
A change of mindset is the first step
What comes next requires good training for all involved. Especially since the next works council elections will already take place in spring 2014. The sources of error in carrying out the actual works council duties are insidious and often lie in the details. The decision to treat each other with dignity will not only give wings to the northern German company. It generally signifies a positive development and is of immense importance to all employees. If rethinking is the first step, then the following steps can only be trust-building, solid knowledge and humanity.
