What are trade unions?
Trade unions are the workers organised in them. In Germany, every worker has the right to be a member of a trade union.
Wer darf streiken?
Only trade unions are allowed to call a strike in Germany. If a union calls a strike, however, all colleagues (including vocational trainees) of the called companies may take part in a strike within the framework of collective bargaining. Your employer cannot give you a warning or dismiss you for taking part in a strike. Nor may they prevent you from taking part in the strike. You do not have to work overtime or sign off.
What are the benefits of union membership during a strike?
You will not be paid for the duration of the strike. However, members of the union calling the strike can get strike support. This is intended to partially compensate for your loss of wages – regardless of whether you are employed full-time or part-time or are a vocational trainee. Your union representative can tell you exactly how much strike pay you will receive. You are also entitled to legal protection if your employer gives you a warning or dismisses you, for example as a result of a strike. However, this is very rare.