Why do Germans like strikes so much?

In fact, strikes in Germany are nothing new. In the past few years, strikes have broken out at German airports almost every year. In Berlin alone, more than 130 flights were cancelled that day. Most strikes are for higher wages.

So, why are the Germans so "keen" on strikes?

First of all, strikes will not delay wages;

According to Article 3 of Chapter 9 of the German Constitution, employees have the right to strike. ? During the strike, the employer shall not dismiss the employees. But employers have the right to stop paying wages during the strike, so how can strikers make a living?

Take GDL as an example. There are about 5000 train drivers in the organization of GDL (German Train Drivers Union). The average monthly income of each train driver is around 3000 euros. Train drivers will pay 0.65% of the membership fee to the trade union organization, which will bring about1200,000 euros of income to GDL trade union every year.

At the same time, GDL is also an organizational member of the German civil servants' union, so the German civil servants' union will give GDL the support of strike reserve as scheduled (about 50 euros per person per day).

If the trade union insists, it can financially support train drivers to go on strike all the year round. On the other hand, a week-long strike will cost the German economy more than 500 million euros.

Secondly, the process of hitting is very comfortable;

There is a scene in the TV series In Spring that describes the strike scene in China. A group of construction workers marched in the street, and then they were blocked in front of the construction company, full of gunpowder.

The strike in Germany is very harmonious. Everyone was quiet, talking and laughing, and no one complained. It seems that everyone is resting in the sun, and the union representatives are talking about it. The employees just went out for a walk. If they go on strike all day, many people will sleep directly at home.

Finally, wages can be raised after the strike;

For example, in 2009, German preschool teachers went on strike. After more than six months of negotiations, the salary of 220,000 preschool teachers in Germany is increased by 1.20 Euro per month.

For example, from 2065438 to March 2004, the German public service industry went on strike, and more than 53,000 people took part in the strike. Lufthansa cancelled more than 3,800 flights ahead of schedule because of the paralysis of airports such as Frankfurt. As a result, the trade union demanded a 3.5% salary increase for more than 2 million service workers in Germany, an extra salary increase of 100 euro per month, and a 30-day paid vacation every year.

Strike, in Germany, is actually a basic right of citizens. However, it should be pointed out that only a "strike to launch or promote work and economic conditions" is legal. According to German labor law, as long as more than 70% of the union members agree, the union can organize a strike.

It is precisely because of the dual protection of law and trade unions that the German people will go on strike without restraint and even produce a "strike culture". Of course, a long-term fruitless strike is not good for employees, but even so, it is a defense and maintenance of employees' rights.