Conference underlines cooperation between 'social movements' and trade unions

In May 2004, a conference was organised jointly by German 'social movements' (such as unemployed and anti-globalisation groups) non-governmental organisations, church-related groups and trade unions. The conference demonstrated the considerable degree of cooperation between social movements and a number of important trade unions in developing both national and international perspectives on tackling unemployment and poverty and safeguarding public services, as well as in opposing current cuts in the German social benefits system.

From 14 to 16 May 2004, a joint 'conference on perspectives ' organised by social movements, non-governmental organisations, church-related groups and trade unions took place in Berlin. Among the numerous organisers and supporters were the Attac anti-globalisation group, women’s organisations, organisations of unemployed people, church-related employee organisations and four of the eight trade unions affiliated to the Confederation of German Trade Unions (Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund, DGB) - the United Services Union (Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft, ver.di), the German Metalworkers' Union (Industriegewerkschaft Metall, IG Metall), the Trade Union for Building, Forestry, Agriculture and the Environment (Industriegewerkschaft Bauen-Agrar-Umwelt, IG BAU) and the German Union of Education (Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft, GEW). The four unions that participated in organising the conference represent about 80% of total DGB membership. The conference was also supported by the Austrian Union of Salaried Employees (Gewerkschaft der Privatangestellten, GPA).

Under the slogan 'There are alternatives' ('Es geht auch anders'), the conference identified alternatives to what was labelled the 'neoliberal mainstream' in economic and social politics. In numerous discussions and workshops the 2,000 or so participants discussed the development of national and international perspectives to tackle unemployment and poverty and to safeguard public services. Alternative plans for fiscal reforms were presented and many speakers stressed their opposition to the current cuts in the German social benefit system. Special attention was paid to the new 'unemployment benefit II' scheme, which will reduce benefits for a large number of unemployed people and whose recipients - as of 1 January 2005 - will have to accept every 'legal job' offered to them regardless of pay levels, even if the wage is not based on, or related to, collectively agreed pay levels (DE0401205F).

Following the major protests against the government's social cutbacks on 3 April 2004, the Berlin conference underlined the willingness of social movements and trade unions to continue to develop their cooperation on issues of common interest. Speakers agreed that many social and economic problems have to be tackled at European and even worldwide level. Representatives of trade unions and social organisations agreed to organise a 'German Social Forum' following the example of similar European (IT0212312F) and international meetings (FR0203106F).