IKEA's German employee representatives give support for union recognition in Danville, Va

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bwint.org/default.asp?Index=3596&Language=EN

Berlin, June 30, 2011 – Employee representatives from IKEA throughout Germany today gave their support for trade union rights in Danville, Virginia. They were meeting at the annual conference of the works council – elected employee representatives (Betriebsräte). The conference was supported by the German services trade union ver.di and brought together around 300 representatives of IKEA workers throughout the country. The conference participants learned of the ongoing struggle with IKEA/Swedwood and gave their full support to their campaign for union recognition. IKEA employs around 13,000 workers in its over 40 stores as well as in distribution and logistics, making it IKEA’s single most important sales market.

In 2009, Swedwood closed its only production unit in Germany, laying off members of the BWI-affiliated IG Metall union.