Union or Trade Association Dispute: Pro-AFD Group Files Lawsuit Against Volkswagen - Labor Association or Alternative?
In a bid to challenge the established trade unions, the AfD-affiliated workers' organisation Zentrum has attempted to elect its own trustee representatives at Volkswagen Group Services in Isenbüttel. However, there is no information indicating that Zentrum is recognized as a trade union at Volkswagen plants.
The new North Regional Office of Zentrum, led by Jens Keller, was opened in Hannover in April. Keller, who is also an AfD city councilor in Hannover and personnel councilor at the municipal waste management company Aha of the state capital, aims to halve the membership of the established trade unions in the coming years.
Zentrum has successfully entered the works council in various plants, including Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart, Daimler in Rastatt and Sindelfingen, BMW and Porsche in Leipzig. However, at Volkswagen, the organisation has faced obstacles. There are doubts about whether Zentrum even has members in the plant where VW produces axles.
VW has refused access to the plant, citing that Zentrum is not a recognized trade union in the plant. Trustee representatives serve as a link between the workforce and the trade union, but their election is not regulated by law. This lack of legal regulation has not deterred Zentrum, who wants to campaign for the election, distribute information material, and hold the election at the plant.
Zentrum claims to have six members at the location with around 150 employees. The AfD-affiliated workers' organisation is suing VW's subsidiary Volkswagen Group Services at the Labor Court in Braunschweig. A corresponding membership list was presented at the hearing.
Despite the legal proceedings, Zentrum chief Hilburger has rejected allegations that his association is not a trade union. He stated that this is another important step in expanding their trade union presence. A verdict is expected on August 21, as announced by Judge Ingo Hundt at the end of the inconclusive hearing.
Traditionally, Volkswagen's recognized labor representation is through well-established unions such as IG Metall. Affiliation with the far-right AfD party is notable in the political landscape but does not translate into formal labor recognition at Volkswagen, according to the current information. Additionally, there is no evidence in the search results that Zentrum functions as a recognized union or holds collective bargaining rights in Volkswagen facilities.
- Zentrum, despite being backed by the AfD, is yet to gain recognition as a trade union at Volkswagen plants, including the one where VW produces axles, prompting them to sue Volkswagen Group Services at the Labor Court in Braunschweig.
- The new leadership at Zentrum's North Regional Office, headed by Jens Keller, aims to reduce the membership of established trade unions in various plants, but their efforts at Volkswagen have been warded off due to lack of recognition and legal obstacles.
