TUC Cymru Just Transition trip to Germany 2024
The Germany visit was organised by TUC Cymru in partnership with FES, a German think tank that specialise in work relating to social democracy. FES pride themselves on working on the major trends of the time, tackling today's challenges in education, networking and shaping the just society of tomorrow.
During the trip, participants engaged in workshops led by DGB Jugend NRW (the German equivalent to the TUC). They learnt about German union structures and their political climate. DGB provided training around the role of German Work Councils and how this influences the phasing out of fossil fuels. And how German trade unions were navigating these structural changes.
During the trip, participants were joined by an Austrian youth delegation who were working on combatting the far-right. For many of the Welsh delegates, there was a recognition that this is a key area of work that we should pick up back home in Wales.
Here is what some of the participants had to say about their experience:
Asking questions I’d never usually have the chance to ask
“The Just Transition trip to Dusseldorf with the TUC was a wonderful experience, and I’m grateful to have met so many incredible people from Germany, Austria and the UK. I feel that I came back with lots of knowledge that I’m determined to take forward into my own workplace and the trade union movement.
Visiting the Tagebau Hambach was eye-opening, and I found talking to the employees very valuable. Hearing about how they were worried for their futures and how the trade unions are working to protect them was inspiring. The steel works were fascinating, and it was great to get a glimpse into an industry I’d never been in before.
The state parliament visit was my favourite part of the trip. Talking to an MP about the differences between German government and UK government was educational and gave me the chance to ask questions I’d never usually have the opportunity to ask.
Finally, the session with the young Germans and Austrians was really interesting. We discussed the differences in how Germany and Austria accept their pasts and vow to do better in the future, compared to remembrance culture in the UK. The discussions were insightful, and I made some great connections.
Overall, the trip was a fantastic experience. I have made some great friends and have returned to the UK with a wealth of knowledge. These kinds of exchanges are so important to our movement, and I’d recommend all to apply if they can. And having the chance to witness Germany score a goal in the Euros and feel the atmosphere of everyone celebrating was amazing!” – Hazel Gambles, Unite the Union
Learning how to not repeat the mistakes from history
“In the Welsh context we face additional challenges and different circumstances [from what we saw in Germany]. So as much of our industry is closed for financial reasons, ensuring that what industry we do have is moved over to more environmentally friendly production methods is essential. But it is also just as essential to ensure that those working in affected industries are able to transition into new employment.
Whether that’s with their current skill sets, or with new skills gained from re-training.
When we discussed the topic of the rise of the far-right, I could see the clear connections between political extremism and a lack of economic opportunities, a situation that could easily arise as we close industries to transition to a greener economy. As was the case in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s, we can see that when large amounts of the workforce are made redundant, the results can be catastrophic. So ensuring that we do not allow the same circumstances to repeat themselves is vital…
…As many communities across Wales experienced when the coal mines were closed, and as Port Talbot is experiencing now, we must also focus on the communities that have been built around the industries that will be affected. Whether they are directly involved in relevant industry, the supply chains for those industries, or servicing the workforce of those areas. We must not allow towns, villages, and cities to lose out on economic opportunity and become poorer, when these fates could have been avoided with proper planning and policy...” - Ryan Hopkins, Unison Cymru
This experience has made me and my union stronger
“I would like to thank the DGB union for hosting us on this trip, everything we saw, spoke about and learnt I will take forward with me for the rest as my life. I would also like to thank the TUC/Community Union for organising the trip and helping us with everything we needed…
…The second day was a great experience. We first went to the biggest open pit mine in Europe and got shown the inner workings of the worksite. We then spoke about the future of the site and even though I was upset to hear the site was closing I was pleased to hear the help they are getting to replace jobs and create a lake to not let all that hard work go to waste. It was impressive to hear that when they shut down a nearby mine putting 80,000 jobs at risk, with the help from the unions/state not a single person went without work. This gives me hope for this country and the state Port Talbot steelworks is in at the moment.
We then went to ThyssenKrupp steel which is the largest steelworks in Europe which, coming from a steelworks myself, was eye opening. We spoke about the future of the steel industry in Germany as the green initiative has forced them to look into more eco-friendly steel procedures. This again gives me hope as Port Talbot [steelworks is] going through the same situation at the moment. Seeing ThyssenKrupp showcase the planning so well it seems achievable for us to do the same…
…The experience I have gained from this exchange will help me improve my own union/workplace and hopefully in the future this country. The divides we once had have disappeared and I feel that this trip has made myself, and in turn my union, stronger and more knowledgeable. I will take what I have learnt and go forward to teach others what I have been shown…”- Tomos Flood, Community Union
Next steps for young workers in Wales
Those who attended the Germany trip are now working with TUC Cymru on how these experiences can influence campaigns and policy work. They will also be working with the Young Activist Development Programme on providing training on green issues at work, and combatting the far right in Wales.