Source: WSI
: WSI Mitteilungen
"WSI-Mitteilungen" is a scientific journal providing up-to-date information on the results of research on current issues of relevance to trade unions. It is aimed primarily at the academic and business communities, trade unionists and policymakers.
The journal is published in German language six times a year. For all articles, abstracts are available in English.
| More about the journal | Archive (Abstracts) |
| Information for authors |
Issue 02/2025
WSI-MITTEILUNGEN 2/2025
Stefan Schoppengerd, Valerie Auer, Markus Wissen
Between Integration and Democratisation. Employee Participation in Industrial Decarbonisation
Abstract
The article examines the relationship between concepts of transformation and models of participation, using the example of companies in a highly industrialised region in Germany. In theoretical discussions on socio-ecological transformation, the participation of employees is framed as a dimension of a just transition and linked to a socio-politically ambitious understanding of transformation. The pragmatic understanding of transformation in ongoing restructuring processes corresponds to a participation approach of participative modernisation management, as is shown on the basis of an explorative case study. However, democratisation impulses can also be found in this context, including valuable indications for a further politicisation of the socio-ecological transformation. more … (in German)
WSI-MITTEILUNGEN 2/2025
Robin Mohan
Between Power and Paralysis – the Shortage of Nursing Staff in Hospitals
Abstract
The discussions around the shortage of skilled labour have intensified again of late. It is generally assumed that scarcity improves the power of workers vis-à-vis employers. This article examines why this power potential is not being utilised to a greater extent. The author argues that this question must be answered differently in different fields of work, as specific constellations of labour supply and demand are relevant here. This is illustrated by analysing the field of hospital nursing. The analysis also includes the market actors' own interpretations of the labour market situation. Although these contribute to the constellation of power and paralysis, they have not been given sufficient consideration in previous research. Based on interviews with managers and nursing staff, which were conducted as part of qualitative case studies in three hospitals, it is shown that the shortage of skilled labour has an ambivalent effect: Although it is partly interpreted by nurses as a potential power to be leveraged, it also constitutes a narrative of collective inability to act. more … (in German)
WSI-MITTEILUNGEN 2/2025
Milena Prekodravac
Works Council Chairpersons as Bearers of Responsibility? Portrait of a Heterogeneous Interest Group
Abstract
This article analyses the understanding of responsibility of works council chairpersons as a specific group of actors who act both in the company and in the social context. Based on 36 qualitative interviews, it analyses how works council chairpersons subjectively interpret responsibility and how they put it into practice. It is shown that responsibility is not only determined by legal and institutional framework conditions, but also by biographical influences and social contexts. Research has identified four ideal-typical patterns: responsibility as needs-, duty-, performance- and conflict-orientation. These patterns illustrate the tension between individual integrity, organisational practice and social expectations. The author argues that responsibility goes far beyond formal duties and must be understood as a moral commitment that promotes social cohesion and the co-design of the working and living environment. Despite its different forms, the assumption of responsibility remains a unifying element of corporate behaviour and contributes significantly to justice and democratic participation. more … (in German)
WSI-MITTEILUNGEN 2/2025
Malte Lübker, Thorsten Schulten
WSI Minimum Wage Report 2025: Reorientation of Minimum Wage Policy Leads to Real Increases
Abstract
Based on data for 38 countries in Europe and overseas, this year's WSI Minimum Wage Report analyses the development of minimum wages as of 1 January 2025. Within the European Union, nominal growth in minimum wages has weakened somewhat, but remained relatively high with a median growth rate of 6.2 %. However, due to declining inflation rates, real growth remained stronger than in previous years at a median growth rate of 3.8 %. The increase was driven in particular by the Eastern European EU countries. The WSI Minimum Wage Report attributes this development to a reorientation of national minimum wage policies in the course of the implementation of the European Minimum Wage Directive. As the report shows, the thresholds for an adequate minimum wage, laid down at 60 % of the median wage and 50 % of the average wage in the directive, have been adopted as targets in many countries. more … (in German)
WSI-MITTEILUNGEN 2/2025
Thorsten Schulten, WSI-Tarifarchiv
Collective Bargaining in Germany 2024: Continued high wage settlements despite declining inflation rates
Abstract
The current annual collective bargaining report of the WSI Collective Agreement Archive contains a comprehensive analysis of the 2024 bargaining round and gives an overview of the demands and results as well as a calculation of the annual wage increases. In 2024, collectively agreed wages grew by 5.4 % on average in nominal terms. With an inflation rate of 2.2 %, the purchasing power of employees covered by collective agreements increased significantly again for the first time in 2024. This compensated for around half of the real wage losses of the previous years. However, the trade unions still see a need to catch up in terms of real wages and are making correspondingly high pay demands for the 2025 pay round. more … (in German)
WSI-MITTEILUNGEN 2/2025
Angelika Kümmerling, Timothy Rinke
The use of Flexible Working and Time-over-Money Options in German Companies. Results of a quantitative company survey
Abstract
The number of statutory, collectively or company-agreed flexible working provisions such as parental leave, care leave and options to choose time over money has increased in Germany in recent years. However, little is known about how often these rights are used by employees and how they are assessed by HR management. With this article we aim to close the existing gap based on the results a survey we conducted among companies with 50 or more employees (n = 1015). Our study shows that the use of flexible working provisions is widespread. Two thirds of the companies surveyed reported that three or more of these provisions had been used (very) frequently by employees in the last five years. The use of these provisions varies according to both the type of provision and company characteristics such as size, sector, co-determination and company demographics. The HR managers surveyed see the use of flexible working provisions as a positive contribution to increasing employer attractiveness and employee retention as well as employee satisfaction. more … (in German)
WSI-MITTEILUNGEN 2/2025
Martina Maas, Hartmut Seifert
Time Recording. Recent Findings on its Prevalence and Organisation
Abstract
Based on an establishment survey, the article presents empirical findings on the prevalence and organisation of time recording. It shows that the vast majority of establishments, even the smallest ones, document their employees’ working time. Manual and systemic time recording methods are broadly balanced. Time recording is almost equally widespread in establishments with and without remote working options. The organisation of work in the form of working from home does not seem to be a barrier to the introduction of time recording and, conversely, does not seem to be an obstacle to remote work. more … (in German)
WSI-MITTEILUNGEN 2/2025
Veronika Heimerl, Astrid Schöggl
How to build a good future: The Chamber of Labour Vienna’s Plan for the Social and Ecological Transformation
Abstract
Whether it's heat on construction sites or in hospitals, wildfires or floods – the climate crisis has arrived. Its effects cause fear and helplessness, and the need to combat them is becoming more and more urgent. We can learn from historical examples such as the New Deal that only a major effort can avert crises in the interests of the majority of the population: working, unemployed and retired people. The trade union and workers' movement has always been at the forefront of fighting for and achieving societal progress. In order to accomplish this today, we have to connect the social and the ecological sphere. With its "Plan for the social and ecological transformation", the Chamber of Labour Vienna shows how this can be done. more … (in German)
WSI-MITTEILUNGEN 2/2025
Carina Altreiter
Socio-ecological restructuring as a gender-transformative project
Abstract
Due to structural inequalities in the social division of labour, opportunities for participation and power relations, not only are women affected more severely by the climate crisis than men, they are also affected in a different manner. However, their perspective is underrepresented in discourses and political decision-making bodies. The article shows what heat stress means in paid and unpaid work from the perspective of female employees. The findings point to the need for representation and systematic interconnection of climate and gender equality policies. The necessary reorientation of our economy offers opportunities to jointly solve the climate crisis and gender inequality. more … (in German)
WSI-MITTEILUNGEN 2/2025
Alexandra Manske
Strikes Beyond Hollywood: The German Stage Union Steps Up for the Bargaining Conflict
Abstract
The strike of Hollywood creatives and the termination of the collective bargaining agreement by the German stage union GDBA (Genossenschaft Deutscher Bühnen-Angehöriger) mark turning points in the fight for better working conditions in the cultural sector. The once-weak stage union is seeing tremendous membership growth reminiscent of the labour movement's heyday. The article shows how artists unionise and advocate for better working conditions, positioning themselves in direct opposition to important diagnoses of our time that view artists as bohemians willing to accept. more … (in German)
WSI-MITTEILUNGEN 2/2025
Christian Hoßbach
Proposals for the Regional Shaping of the Socio-Ecological Transformation
Abstract
Digitalisation and decarbonisation are bringing about fundamental changes in work and the economy. This transformation must be organised in a just manner (“just transition”). Key tasks lie at the regional level, which permits greater proximity to individual companies’ issues and specific steps of implementation. An effective, democratic organisation can only be achieved by incorporating a perspective of work. The article is based on the results of the study “Regionale Gestaltung der Transformation” (regional shaping of the transformation). It offers proposals for a systematic and sustainable strengthening of the regional aspects of transformation, which should be implemented at federal, state and local levels. more … (in German)
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Abstracts
| Issue 01/2025 | Issue 02/2025 |
| Issue 01/2024 | Issue 02/2024 |
| Issue 03/2024 | Issue 04/2024 |
| Issue 05/2024 | Issue 06/2024 |
| Issue 01/2023 | Issue 02/2023 |
| Issue 03/2023 | Issue 04/2023 |
| Issue 05/2023 | Issue 06/2023 |
| Issue 01/2022 | Issue 02/2022 |
| Issue 03/2022 | Issue 04/2022 |
| Issue 05/2022 | Issue 06/2022 |
| Issue 01/2021 | Issue 01/2020 |
| Issue 02/2021 | Issue 02/2020 |
| Issue 03/2021 | Issue 03/2020 |
| Issue 04/2021 | Issue 04/2020 |
| Issue 05/2021 | Issue 05/2020 |
| Issue 06/2021 | Issue 06/2020 |
| Issue 01/2019 | Issue 01/2018 |
| Issue 02/2019 | Issue 02/2018 |
| Issue 03/2019 | Issue 03/2018 |
| Issue 04/2019 | Issue 04/2018 |
| Issue 05/2019 | Issue 05/2018 |
| Issue 06/2019 | Issue 06/2018 |