What makes a strong union?

That can be studied at IG Metall, which undoubtedly has this characteristic: In the event of an emergency in terms of collective bargaining, it would have the power to paralyze the entire auto industry with its members.

But it avoids maneuvering itself in collective bargaining disputes into a situation in which instead of compromises there can only be victory or defeat.

In the Corona crisis, she even took an already completed tariff claim off the table.

In view of the economic emergency in her area of ​​responsibility - the metal and electrical industry - she has put all longer-term goals aside for the time being.

The train drivers' union GDL, on the other hand, only shows the ability to paralyze rail traffic with its core clientele, the train drivers.

She has already made good use of this.

At the same time she intoxicated herself with the crazy idea that she would otherwise be threatened with annihilation - through a joint campaign by the railway and the larger railway workers' union EVG, which the GDL chairman denigrated as a "lap dog".

The fact is that the EVG entered into a crisis pact in the autumn of 2020 in view of the obviously difficult situation of the economy as a whole and of the railways, very similar to IG Metall.

The GDL has refused to accept this understanding of a compensatory tariff policy.

This is exactly how she dealt with the peace agreement, which is valid until 2020, which clearly defined responsibilities for both unions in the railway company.

Instead of postponing longer-term goals for at least the time of the pandemic, she called on the ultimate question of power. She is now fighting to extend her responsibilities to train station and workshop employees. She tries to capitalize on her refusal - a higher collective bargaining agreement than the pact from the crisis autumn 2020 should disavow the EVG and drive the GDL new members in precisely these areas. What should one think of the fact that the GDL is now using the strike power of the train drivers for this? Only courts can clarify what is legal. What makes a strong railway union is gradually answering itself.