Trade unions
Trade unions are employee organisations. They represent the interests of employees at various levels. Trade unions provide advice on employment law and legal protection for their members. More detailed information is available on the pages of the German Trade Union Federation and the member unions.
DGB stands for German Trade Union Federation (Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund). Eight member unions belong to the DGB.
Ver.di is the trade union for service sector employees.
NGG is the trade union for the food, beverages and catering sector.
IG BAU is the trade union for the construction, agriculture and environment, and building cleaning sectors.
Seasonal workers in Germany can join forces under the umbrella of the trade union IG BAU to jointly enforce better working conditions. There is a special membership for seasonal workers, which is limited to one year. Further information in many languages can be found on the IG BAU website:
IG Metall is the trade union for employees in the metal working and electrical sectors, and in the textiles industry and the skilled trades.
IG BCE is the trade union for employees in the metal working and electrical sectors, and in the mining, chemicals and energy sectors.
GEW is the trade union for education and science sectors.
GdP is the trade union for the police.
EVG is the trade union for employees in the transport sector.