IG Metall’s comeback: Trade union renewal in times of crisis

Abstract

Germany’s biggest trade union, IG Metall, is celebrating a comeback. IG Metall seized the window of opportunity offered by the 2008–2009 financial and economic crisis to consolidate its political influence, and since 2011 has registered a continuous rise in membership. In this article, we analyse the renewal of IG Metall by invoking and adding to the international discussion on trade union revitalisation and by emphasising the importance of leadership in the organisation’s multilevel structures. We argue that organisational renewal and the consolidation of power resources have taken place at various levels of IG Metall. This process was structured by incentives from the union’s national leadership, such as the creation of a central innovation fund. IG Metall has successfully developed strategic capabilities, reorganised its structure, improved its public image and seized the shock of the financial crisis to revive political dialogue with the government on employment policies. However, the renewal process continues to be fragile, as IG Metall faces new challenges, such as the rise of the extreme political right in Germany.