We must ensure not everything is automated

The Zug Trades Union Association (GBZ) celebrates its 80^th anniversary tomorrow. In an interview with a journalist of the Zuger Zeitung, the leader of the association, René Windlin, explained why he felt the GBZ would be needed in 80 years’ time, too.

When he was asked how the GBZ wanted to celebrate the occasion, Windlin said he wanted to look back, not least by going on a tour of Zug to look at places which have been significant in the association’s history, for example the Bären restaurant where the GBZ was founded in 1938. (The photograph shows Windlin standing in front of it.)

Then he wanted to make sure that a number of issues were brought to the public’s attention again, such as equal pay for men and women and the determining of working hours and adherence to them. “We want to be seen as the representatives of workers in the canton,” he said.

When asked what other significant places the tour on Friday would be stopping at, Windlin mentioned the Metalli centre, “previously a production site, now a temple of consumerism,” and went on to say how, in his youth, he used to sell badges to workers as they went to the Landis+Gyr factory on the occasion of 1 August, Switzerland’s National Day. “Now, of course, most companies here are in the service sector; not that employees involved are not workers, too, but they are not so close to the trade union movement. Quite often you hear young people say today, “I have got a job; I’m fine,” but let it not be forgotten that this situation has been brought about by collective employment agreements; and in order for these to be in existence at all, you need organisations which take on workers’ rights.”

When asked how the work of the Trades Union Association had changed over the years, Windlin said the organisation now had a greater presence in the press and issued statements and, of course, it now had its own website. On the other hand, he felt possibilities were restricted in some ways. “For example, we do not have a professional secretariat,” he said. However, he also said that the organisation was taken seriously by the cantonal authorities and that it took part in regular discussions with the cantonal government.

When it came to questions about current challenges faced by workers, Windlin mentioned digitisation, as this had led to the disappearance of certain jobs, while recognising it created new ones. “What we must ensure is that not all jobs are automated. People have got to earn a living by doing a job. We cannot sit back as we create yet more unemployed. I fear digitisation may lead to people being left behind. However, employers are duty- bound to ensure their employees are trained accordingly and not simply cast aside.” He then went on to mention the issue of working hours, with the tendency today not to have to clock in and out yet still being available at all times, and this against a background of people continually talking about getting the right balance between work and leisure time. “In addition, what concerns us is financial provision for the elderly. What is important is that, as they retire, they do not suffer from a fall in income. Let us not forget pensioners are also good consumers.”

And where do you think the GBZ will be in 80 years’ time?
“I can see no reason why it should not continue to exist. After all, workers will still need to be represented and employers also have their own associations, don’t they? I cannot see trade unions simply disappearing.”