A meeting of transport workers in Germany convened to discuss strategies for countering the perceived betrayals of the Verdi union. The meeting focused on the ongoing struggles for improved wages and working conditions in the face of what participants saw as Verdi’s tendency to compromise and sell out workers’ interests.
Discussions centered on experiences in previous negotiations, highlighting instances where Verdi allegedly weakened demands or accepted unfavorable agreements. Speakers emphasized the need for independent action and rank-and-file organization to bypass the perceived limitations of the union bureaucracy. The participants argued that Verdi prioritized collaboration with management and political stability over the immediate needs and demands of its members.
The meeting stressed the necessity of building independent structures, such as workplace committees, to empower workers and coordinate action from the ground up. They discussed methods for disseminating information, organizing protests, and mobilizing support among colleagues. The overall aim was to develop a strategy for wage negotiations that bypassed Verdi’s control and gave workers more direct influence over the outcome. A recurring theme was the need to break from what they see as the constraints and limitations of the union.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/04/14/pxzn-a14.html