FAQ

What do you mean by “union”?

We see unions as tools to emancipate ourselves, to improve our lot in society and to realize our potential. A union can thus act as an instrument to free ourselves from exploitation through capitalism. We also think that unions are crucial to change in society. Our work in the union isn’t limited to the question of wages but goes much further.

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Is the FAU an official union?

The very idea that a union has to be officially recognized by the State is absurd to us. We see it as our fundamental right to join the union of our choice and let it represent our interests. By the way, this is also what the International Labour Organisation (a UN agency) calls for. Unfortunately, there are powerful lobby groups in Germany which seek to curtail this right. The fight for the “freedom of association” (i.e. union rights) thus has a high priority for us. And we are not the only ones who think this way. Militant and independent unions have always faced this sort of problem. A good union is one your boss does not like. Period.

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Does the FAU Berlin have a strike fund?

Yes. When members of the FAU Berlin begin to strike, strike pay is distributed in accordance with the policies and decisions of the FAU Berlin.

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Do members of the FAU Berlin have legal protection insurance?

Our members do enjoy legal protection. The general assembly of the FAU Berlin decides when and in what form this legal protection is given. We believe that no one should be left alone with their problems.

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I work as a freelancer. Can I join the FAU Berlin?

Of course. We think that it is extremely important to increase the level of organisation in this highly individualized and often precarious field. Freelancers are already organized within the FAU Berlin, and we have already had a lot of experience dealing with their problems. Freelancers who have employees, however, are not allowed to join.

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I work in a workers cooperative. What do I need a union for?

The FAU Berlin is the union for cooperative workers. Here you can read about our understanding of worker cooperatives, and what place they have in our concept of a labour union. With the Union Coop, a federation of worker cooperatives that brings together union standards and collectivist standards, the FAU Berlin is part of developing a self-organized structure for worker cooperatives, which is closely linked to and was created from within the FAU Berlin. The Union Coop sets federation and solidarity against the market-oriented individualization and pressure to compete.

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I’m unemployed/I’m a student. Should I become a member?

Without a doubt! Our approach to union organizing includes people who are indirect wage labourers–for example, unemployed and students. Often the status of “directly or indirectly a wage labourer” cannot be clearly drawn, as you may often switch from one status to another or be somewhere in the middle (such as working part time and claiming benefits part time, in a work programme, etc.). Our goal as a class organization is to unite our class in the different struggles we face. Unemployed workers and students are already organizing themselves in the FAU to carry out their conflicts. This broad approach to organizing makes us all the more powerful as a union.

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I don’t have any problems at my workplace. Why should I join a union?

Union organizing is a good idea in any situation. It doesn’t matter if you’re a “higher income earner” or a “lower income earner,” nor if you have an ultra-precarious workplace, nor no problems at all–our approach is collective solidarity across occupational categories and status groups. Besides, your situation could quickly change–in which case, it would be good to already be a union member so you are prepared and can respond quickly. In the FAU, you can get important knowledge and tools for your working life, with which you can help yourself and others more quickly when there are problems. High earning members also strengthen our financial balance so that we can make membership possible also for workers with no income. Our class stands together!

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What is the FAU Berlin’s position on works council elections?

We don’t take part in works council elections because we have a critical view on works councils. We know that sometimes it is important to form works councils in order to safeguard and enable workplace organizing and labour struggles. We thus support members who chose to form works councils. However, it is important that the works councils activities remain focused on the needs of the workforce.

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I am in a works council. Can I become a member of the FAU Berlin?

Yes. Although the FAU Berlin is critical of works councils, members of works councils are welcome in the FAU Berlin. They should, however, make the needs of their coworkers a priority and keep their activities in the works council transparent.

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What is the FAU Berlin’s relationship to the DGB and other unions in Germany?

As a militant, grassroots union, the FAU Berlin operates in a completely different manner than most other unions: We reject centralist structures. We have a much broader view of the areas in which unions should be active. We are especially critical of union bureaucracy. However, we often see the labour struggles of other unions in a positive light. We think that it is important that there be cooperation based on solidarity within the workplace. Thus, we seek a constructive cooperation with members of other unions as well as unorganised colleagues.

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I am a member of another union. Can I also become a member of the FAU Berlin?

No problem. Although it may be a little odd to be a member of two organizations with such different visions, there are often sensible reasons for a double membership. It is up to you. What is important, however, is that your activities in the other union don’t undermine the work of the FAU Berlin. As the independence of our organization is very important, activities within the other union have to be kept separate from those in the FAU. If the activities do intermingle, then this must be made transparent to the FAU.

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I’m already engaged in other causes, I don’t have time for another (political) group.

It’s great that you’re already involved! Of course, active members and solidarity are crucial to us; that’s what our union is built on. But we also understand that people have different life situations, and we support members engaging in progressive initiatives. However, the FAU is a grassroots labour union–with a political profile–and not a (political) group. The FAU doesn’t necessarily work the same way as (leftist) political groups. The everyday union work is our priority. There are many small tasks you can help with, even with a limited time budget.

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What is your relationship to social movements?

We aim to cooperate closely with social movements and help them in their struggles. It is important that we maintain a relationship with others fighting for similar goals. This can result in synergistic effects, which can make us stronger. Cooperations should, however, be productive. Keeping this in mind, we consider cooperation with each social movement carefully.

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I’m a member of a party. Can I join the FAU Berlin?

Party members can join the FAU Berlin, as long as their party’s programme does not fundamentally disagree with our principles. Even then, there will be obvious contradictions: Political parties are structured in a centralist way, while the FAU has very consciously organized itself in a federalist structure. We’ve also already had to carry out work conflicts in workplaces that were closely linked with a political party. Because of our federal structure and anticapitalist principles, as well as these concrete experiences, the independence of our base union from party structures is very important to us. Activities in any political party are to be strictly separated from activities in the FAU. If the activities do intermingle, then this has to be made transparent to the FAU.

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“Anarchist”: Doesn’t that mean you reject organisation?

There’s a difference between arachism and Anarcho-syndicalism. Anarcho-syndicalism has always stood for the self-organisation of workers. Our high hopes for society–that is, its transformation in a grassroots democratic and socialist manner–also means that we have high expectations of ourselves. Only by committing ourselves to our organisation over the long term we can realize our dreams. Someday, we hope that production and consumption will be managed in an inclusive and democratic manner. We think that a certain degree of commitment will be necessary in this respect. Before this utopia arises, we expect our form of organisation–which is based on solidarity and grassroots democracy–to give us more possibilities both as individuals and as a collective.

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Union, isn’t that reformist?

Syndicalism consciously moves between the poles of reform and revolution. Our activities are based in the here and now while also oriented towards the ideals of a better tomorrow. We engage in our struggles in the hope that they will bring us closer to our goals. Thus, the new society grows in the shell of the old.

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I have other questions. How can I find out more?

Our union office is open every Friday between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. You will find FAU Berlin members there who can answer your questions. This talk also takes place in English twice a year. Send us an email to find out the next date. If you have any industry-specific questions, feel free to address our sections directly. Other than that, you might be able to find answers to your questions elsewhere on the website.

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