Adidas Departs Trade Union: 'Unsportsmanlike and Uncollaborative' Behavior Cited
In a noteworthy move, sportswear giant Adidas has decided to opt out of collective bargaining with the IGBCE Industrial Union in Germany. This decision comes at a time when efforts are being made to bring more individuals under the protection of collective agreements.
According to reports, Adidas's 8,000 employees throughout Germany, including those at its headquarters in Herzogenaurach and large logistics centers in Bavaria, Uffenheim and Scheinfeld, as well as in Rieste, Lower Saxony, and in Adidas stores, will no longer be covered by new collective agreements from September 1.
The IGBCE, which has secured advantages for over 300,000 of its members in collective bargaining, has criticised Adidas's decision. IGBCE Deputy Chair Birgit Biermann described it as "unsportsmanlike" and "abandoning the path of social partnership." Oliver Heinrich, IGBCE's chief wage negotiator, labelled it as naive and provocative.
The IGBCE has also expressed its desire to bring more wage groups under collective bargaining to create a realistic and fair classification, even for highly qualified employees. One of their demands includes a 7% increase in wages for employees in the sector-wide collective agreement for the sports article and shoe industry, as well as tangible advantages for IGBCE members.
However, Adidas has opposed these demands. It is important to note that new employees hired after September 1 will not be covered by any collective agreements.
This move by Adidas is significant as it places the company in a small minority of companies that are "fleeing" collective bargaining among the 40 DAX companies. Biermann believes the move shows recklessness, especially in light of the recent passing of the Collective Bargaining Act.
For Adidas's employees, this decision could potentially weaken collective bargaining power regarding wages, job security, and benefits. It could also reduce the union's influence over working conditions at Adidas, leading to individualized employment contracts rather than company-wide agreements.
For those seeking further information, Isabel Niesmann at +49 171 33 89 767 or [email protected] can be contacted for inquiries.
Adidas's decision to withdraw from collective bargaining with the IGBCE Industrial Union could potentially weaken the collective bargaining power of its employees, affecting wages, job security, and benefits. This stance puts Adidas in a minority among the 40 DAX companies, avoiding the protection of collective agreements.
The finance and business implications of this decision extend beyond Adidas, as it could potentially influence other companies' decisions regarding collective bargaining and the rights of their employees in the German market.
