JENS FERTSCH, a member of the German section of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI – the socialist international organisation to which the Socvialiat Party is affiliated), was suspended from his workplace on July 8th.
This was because Jens was organising the elections for a works’ council together with other colleagues. (The works’ councils in Germany are the legal workers representation bodies in workplaces. They are elected by all workers and workers have a constitutional right to form them). The boss of the company is conducting a campaign of intimidation against those workers who support the idea of a works’ council.
A solidarity committee and a campaign for the re-instatement of our comrade has been set up. We urge comrades in trade union positions to send letters of protest as soon as possible to the company.
A draft letter is attached which you just have to sign. We would also welcome letters of solidarity for the public meeting of the solidarity committee on Wednesday, 16 July.
Please send the letters of protest to:
ETIB GmbH, z.Hd. Heiner Lšhmann, Arster Hemm 52-54, 28279 Bremen, Germany.
Fax: + 49 421 8400210, E-mail: [email protected], Tel: +49-172-4222223
Copies to be send to the IG Metall trade union: [email protected] and the “SolidaritŠtskomitee Jens Fertsch”: [email protected]
Letter of protest
- For the immediate re-instatement of Jens Fertsch!
- For free elections to the works’ council at ETIB Bremen!
Mr Loehmann,
We have been told by trade union colleagues in Germany you have suspended Mr. Jens Fertsch from his job. The only reason for your unjust action is the fact that Mr. Fertsch is using his constitutional right together with other workers and is planning to set up a works’ council at ETIB.
You might not like this as the full introduction of workers’ rights could mean a lower rate of profit for yourself but it is their right to do so!
We demand the immediate re-instatement of Jens Fertsch into his job and an end to your attempts to intimidate workers and stop free elections to the works’ council.
We will publish your actions in our press and make it known in the labour movement. We will especially inform trade unions at companies like DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Mc Donald’s and others who are your trading partners.
