Germany
Germany: Management speculation threatens survival of Porsche car works
By Ludwig Weller, August 3, 2009
The giant VW auto concern has swallowed up the Porsche company in a hard fought battle largely decided in the financial markets.
Who is Klaus Franz?
The evolution of the Opel union leader
By Marianne Arens, August 1, 2009
Leading German trade unionist Klaus Franz is a typical representative of a social layer that struck radical poses in the 1970s and subsequently moved sharply to the right.
German government contemplates Opel insolvency
By Dietmar Henning, July 30, 2009
The German government is eager to give the impression it is working on a “socially compatible solution” for Opel, but evidence is emerging that the government is intent on allowing the auto compan...
Study shows sharp growth of low-wage sector in Germany
By Elisabeth Zimmermann, July 29, 2009
A study by the Institute for Labour and Qualification (IAQ) shows that there has been a drastic expansion of the low-wage sector in Germany, which now totals 6.5 million workers.
The German offensive in Afghanistan
By Ulrich Rippert, July 27, 2009
The German army has dramatically intensified its intervention in Afghanistan in the past few days, employing heavy weaponry for the first time.
Arab woman stabbed to death in German courtroom
By Justus Leicht, July 24, 2009
German political and media circles have reacted reservedly to the murder of an Arab woman by a neo-fascist in a German courtroom.
Unions systematically divide Opel, GM-Europe workers
By Ulrich Rippert, July 23, 2009
From the outset, the German works councils have sought to ensure that the main burden of an Opel “rescue plan” be shouldered by European plants outside Germany.
Germany: Unions support dismantling of over 10,000 jobs at Opel
What lies behind the “workers equity investment scheme”?
By Ludwig Weller, July 22, 2009
As part of their “rescue plan” for Opel, the German trade unions propose a “workers equity investment company”, in which only the works council members and some union officials would have any ...
German Socialist Equality Party certified for 2009 federal election
By our reporter, July 22, 2009
At its meeting on July 17, Germany's Federal Election Committee agreed to allow the Socialist Equality Party (Partei für Soziale Gleichheit—PSG) to stand in this September's national elections, but...
Germany: Deutsche Bahn slashes Berlin’s transport services
By Emma Bode and Verena Nees, July 20, 2009
The drive for profit and preparations for the privatisation of German railways are paving the way for the collapse of the Berlin urban rail system.
Discussion with Opel worker: “Joint resistance is necessary”
By Marianne Arens, July 17, 2009
A former IG Metall shop steward at the Opel's main factory told the WSWS that workers are critical of the role being played by the trade unions and works councils, which refuse to inform the workforce...
How the German banks forced the government to nationalize Hypo Real Estate
By Stefan Steinberg, July 16, 2009
A protocol released by Germany’s regulatory agency reveals the manner in which leading German banks and finance houses dictate policy to the German government.
