What
is the DaimlerChrysler Coordination?
The
‘DaimlerChrysler Coordination’, now Daimler Coordination, is an open network of
union activists, which supports a regular exchange of information
in the DaimlerChrysler plants in Germany. We conceive ourselves
as rank-and-file-oriented. Our aim is to look beyond our own work
situation by adopting an internationalist perspective. We want to
ban narrow thinking in terms of competitiveness, and we want to
strengthen solidarity in Germany and beyond.
Since beginning of the eighties, progressive shop stewards of the
IG Metall, representatives of plant groups and works councils as
well as other interested colleagues of DaimlerChrysler Germany form
the Mercedes and later the DaimlerChrysler Coordination. We hold
regular meetings where colleagues from different plants in Germany
exchange information, critically examine management strategies and
develop own positions. A regular contact between the workers of
the different German plants is indispensable, as we want to provide
information exchange and create the development of common strategies
to fight back. Most participants of the DaimlerChrysler Coordination
are engaged in different union committees and regularly issue newsletters
or leaflets in the plant.
You can get in touch with the Daimler Coordination via dcexchange@gmx.de
Against competitiveness and in support of internationalism
The DaimlerChrysler Coordination is taking a stance against concession
and competitiveness, because these do not guarantee job security,
but only increase pressure on the workers. Our latest discussions
aimed at developing critical positions covering issues as new (flexible)
wage systems, the introduction of standardised teamwork and the
Mercedes Production System (MPS). The latter, especially, is a further
step towards lean production and towards the international standardisation
of production processes which make it easier for the company to
transfer production to ‘less expensive’ locations.
The DC group’s strategies have an international focus. The
DaimlerChrysler Coordination strives for a real workers’ internationalism.
This includes the need to establish an international cooperation
of European, North and South American activists. In the eighties,
the Mercedes Coordination started building stable personal relations
with DaimlerChrysler union activists abroad, organising visits,
exchange programs and internationally enabled seminars. Regular
contacts with the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, Brazil and the USA
came to existence and are still deepening. Worldwide solidarity
actions have taken place across national borders. Since the mid-nineties,
the DaimlerChrysler Coordination, supported by the international
union activists’ network TIE, is trying to coordinate the
national and international contacts and develop strategies for action.
TIE’s support consists mainly of research input as well as
providing its experience with international union work.
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