TUC plans joint action with German unions for higher pay and better jobs

Speaking to the annual meeting of the DGB – the German equivalent of the TUC – in Berlin today (Wednesday), TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady will urge stronger links between the 12 million trade union members in Britain and Germany to promote fair pay, decent jobs and a people’s plan to boost growth across Europe.

Frances will say: “The TUC and DGB must explore the scope for synchronised union action, politically and organisationally. Workers deserve a bigger say in decision-making at work, higher wages that will stimulate growth, and a more secure future for their children.

“Europe has lost its appeal for many ordinary working people. Slow growth and austerity economics has delivered little in quality jobs, wage rises or living standards.

“We face widespread unemployment, particularly amongst the young, a continent-wide squeeze on wages and living standards, and, where new jobs are being created, too many are low-paid, insecure and on zero hours contracts.

“Families are struggling to make ends meet because of the bad behaviour of the bonus-fuelled banking elites that caused a global financial crash and the failure of governments to reform the global finance system.

“Too many politicians are attempting to outdo extremist parties who are quick to blame Europe’s problems on the unemployed, disabled or migrant workers. Instead we need practical solutions to the problems working families face, like a return to paying a decent rate for the job to stop wage under-cutting.

“Even the IMF has recognised that austerity was imposed too far and too fast, and now it is calling for greater equality to tackle Europe's lost decade of no-to slow-growth.

“The emergence of low pay in Germany at levels experienced in the UK and US is a wake-up call for everyone. It led to the creation of a CDU-SPD coalition committed to higher pay and a minimum wage, based on the British model, only better. And we need to learn some German lessons, too, such as quality apprenticeships and workers on boards.

“Governments should be making the financial sector serve the real economy through measures like a financial transactions tax, investing in sustainable industries and boosting skills and wages.

“When David Cameron talks of repatriating Europe’s powers to Westminster or cutting red tape, what he really means is stripping people in the UK of their workplace rights, their consumer protection and the environmental standards that most of his backbenchers hate so much. But to do this he needs the help of the German Chancellor.

“And although Angela Merkel might appear to be a natural ally, her grand coalition has Social Democrats holding key government ministries. That means that David Cameron’s pleas are less likely to be answered.

“However warm Angela Merkel’s words might have been last week in London, there is little to no chance that the new German administration will allow the UK government to have its way in Europe.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The TUC is organising Fair Pay Fortnight from Monday 24 March to Sunday 6 April. It will be a series of events across England and Wales to raise awareness about falling living standards. www.fairpayfortnight.org

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

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