Photo: Mhe

More Than a Class Reunion
This conference was more than a trade union class reunion. It was a political signal: the grassroots is alive, organising itself – and asking questions that go beyond collective agreements and bargaining. It reached beyond the classic Die Linke clientele and attracted many trade union activists – whether party-affiliated or not, whether organised or not.

More visible than at previous conferences were workplace activists and struggles from migrant-influenced parts of the trade union movement. This time, the stage belonged not only to prominent representatives from boards and functionary circles, but especially to colleagues from workplace disputes – from Tesla, Charité Facility Management (CFM), retail and others.

Between Hope and Concern
The atmosphere was electrifying, almost euphoric – a mixture of hope, breakthrough and fighting spirit – and at the same time more serious and thoughtful than usual, appropriate to our times. Applause repeatedly erupted, chants, singing and even tears accompanied particularly combative speeches. The longing for respect and dignity was palpable – in a time when humiliations and impositions on workers have become a permanent societal condition.

On the margins, there was – as always – exaggeration and criticism. Some sectarian groups were noticeably unpleasant: their “criticism” of the Die Linke party – such as the claim that “only the AfD is still a peace party” – was met with incomprehension by many. A polarisation that not only hangs analytically askew but can be dangerous in its effect. It became clear: anti-militarist struggle needs a different foundation – one that unites, not divides.

And that’s exactly what the conference offered, even on this issue: no fear of expressions of solidarity with Palestine and the solidarity movement in Germany. On the contrary – it remained undisputed that this is currently the most developed expression of international solidarity within the trade union movement.

The role of the apparatuses, whose left wing certainly helps shape this conference, would in turn always be worth a more critical examination. For it is precisely this part of the trade union bureaucracy that views every impulse to transform trade union structures – not always in open contradiction, but with fundamental scepticism.

Orientation & Objectives
The conference was held under the motto “become more conflict-oriented, democratic, political” – and exactly this line ran through many discussions. A central topic was: Is the previous format of such conferences sufficient to promote profound trade union politicisation?

It became clear: how organising is done makes a difference – not just that it is done. Organising methods that focus solely on workplace collective bargaining will not be sufficient. A strategic connection between everyday work in the workplace and societal politicisation is needed – without proxy politics, without pure event culture.

In this context, the term “groundwork” became a catchphrase. Groundwork – that’s the moment where propaganda stops and organising begins. The turn towards “the many” instead of concentrating on supposedly “progressive” milieus. The unexcited but permanent development of conflicts. Not loud, not media-effective – but central to any real movement. It’s worth following this thread separately.

Practice Meets Theory: Spaces for Strategic Learning
A successful example of political education and practical orientation was the workshop with Keith Brown from Labor Notes (USA), moderated by Violetta Bock. With over 200 participants, it was one of the best-attended events of the conference.

The mix was right: insights into US organising practices, experience reports from the struggles against Trump and union busting – and at the same time concrete tools for what organising can look like in one’s own workplace. Many left the workshop feeling: I can start right away tomorrow.

The fact that even the IGBCE has now discovered organising to lead workforces to new strength shows how strongly these approaches are now moving to the centre of trade union renewal.

No Peace with Rearmament
The closing plenary included a clear statement against rearmament and the war industry – linked with the appeal to form opposition against the leadership’s integrationist line at upcoming trade union congresses. This struggle is open – it’s still unclear how many colleagues will take it up. But the call has been made.

Fanny Zeise, a co-organiser of the conference, named three pillars of trade union renewal: “More conflict-ready, more democratic and more political – that’s what the headwind of ever-advancing neoliberalism demands of us”. The future federal government offers no answer to current problems, Fanny said in her speech on Saturday evening. On the contrary, it attacks the eight-hour day fought for 100 years ago. It is important to build pressure against this in alliance with the population and especially with workforces willing to strike.

More Than Encouragement: A Strategic Moment
The 6^th Trade Union Conference was more than an encouragement event. It was an anchor point – perhaps even a turning point – for a movement that doesn’t stand still, but wants to think together about conflict capability, political clarity and connecting organisation. The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation has not only provided a space, but – hopefully – strengthened a permanent structure that left-wing trade unionists can rely on in the future.

Michael Sankari