Seven instruments against a right-wing extremist works council

Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche has recognized the signs of the times and is calling on his employees to participate actively in the upcoming works council elections scheduled from March to May. The top manager is not indifferent to the fact that a "national-patriotic movement" in the form of new right-wing trade unions is seeking to establish itself at Daimler and other car manufacturers such as BMW, Opel, and Audi. Former communist activist from Pforzheim and current propagandist of the right, Jürgen Elsässer, envisions a "new front for the national and social liberation of the people." With the new trade union formation "Zentrum-Automobil," he and former "national songwriter" and labor judge Oliver Hilburger, who, along with three colleagues, secured works council mandates at Daimler's main plant in Untertürkheim, aim to mobilize. Through networking and campaign platforms like "Compact," they aim to win mandates in companies across the board. Elsässer is driving a wedge deep into the workforce; for him, it is clear: "The immigrants of recent years are rabble who only want to freeload and hit on our women." While the IG Metall, which aimed to overcome the market-driven economic and ownership structure in the Federal Republic of Germany just a few decades ago, has transformed into a more pragmatic rather than class-struggle-oriented social partner, there is now a danger that the new trade union movements could unexpectedly bring about pre-revolutionary conditions in the companies. It is all the more important that corporate managements contribute to stabilizing the situation in their companies and are able to utilize the possibilities of the Works Constitution Act. For management, this means quickly gaining an understanding of the election campaign in the companies and the newly elected works council members to develop a strategy for future dealings with the works and employee councils. It is essential to align the new works councils with the company's goals and find a productive collaboration. Ultimately, the reputation of the company and the corporate culture are also at stake. Important issues such as the emerging fundamental realignment in the automotive industry and the rapidly advancing digitalization can bring about concerns and unrest among the workforce. Therefore, seven fundamental rules for the election campaign in the companies and then dealing with the new, potentially right-wing works councils should be observed:

Be present and remain visible - Show your flag in line with your corporate culture

Observe closely in each phase how the election campaign in your company is being conducted and ensure that legal regulations are adhered to. Intervene, in conjunction with the current works council, if human dignity is violated or discriminatory and racist statements are made, or if propaganda is being spread. Use all legitimate means available to you, from invoking the works council to potentially organizing your own staff and information event, to legal measures, including interim relief through injunctions. Demonstrate from the outset that clear rules apply in your company.

Get an impression of the future works council in your company

Look at who is running for the works council in your company in which constellation and on which lists. A strong and competent works council that is assertive in the company can be inconvenient but is worth its weight in gold as a constructive partner. A weakly acting works council will not gain respect or support within the company in the long run; it is not resilient and cannot effectively benefit the company, for example, in negotiating and enforcing company agreements.

Encourage qualified employees to run for candidacy

Where possible, encourage qualified employees to run for the works council. Encourage good and potentially initially uncomfortable individuals to advocate for their colleagues and make it clear that running for the works council in your company is not a career impediment. Works councils perform important functions. Your works council is not only the elected representation of your workforce but also performs co-management functions in negotiating and enforcing company agreements. Works councils also act as PR ambassadors for the company in crises to the public and the media, and even in political bodies and institutions of local self-government.

Support your works council through suitable training

Without interfering in the works council's affairs, you can still oversee the training and qualification measures taken by the members of your works council. Carefully coordinate with your works council on the training measures they desire or that you find beneficial. Strike a balance between your company's interests and budget constraints on one side and the works council's concerns on the other. Good training is seen by works councils as a form of appreciation and a recognition of the company; some generosity can motivate good performance without making works councils feel "bought" or corrupted. Transparency and equal rules for everyone are key here.

Trust your works councils

Give the newly elected works councils a vote of confidence as far as possible. Try to recruit the most qualified and culturally suitable works council members for participation in the central "economic committee." Show respect for the works councils' work and share confidential information with competent and morally suitable works council members. This will help you assess whether you can trust your works council in delicate situations in the future.

Participate in works meetings personally

Engage in works and department meetings that the works council must convene as its own events once per quarter by law. Your presence and speech at such events should not be seen as a duty but as a valuable privilege and opportunity. Coordinate the content and structure of these central events with the host as much as possible. Works meetings are opportunities for identification, motivation, and a barometer of the work atmosphere. Companies and workforces form a community of fate, and even if there are heated discussions at a works meeting, you can gain valuable information for preventive crisis management.

Prepare well for your appearance at works meetings

Prepare your report on the company's situation both in terms of content and rhetoric. Works meetings are a matter for top management and should not be left solely to the HR department. Your appearance as the top representative of the company at the first works meeting after the elections is crucial; important decisions are made, and the management is under close scrutiny. Address apparent contradictions such as plant closures or relocations alongside high profits to inform the workforce. Employees expect clear communication about the company's situation, guidance for future actions, and a spirit of solidarity within the realm of possibilities. They want you to be seen as a competent leader who acts responsibly and credibly. For more information on works councils and Richard Schütze, visit: https://www.trainers-excellence.de/redner/richard-schuetze.html