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IndustriAll Europe is proud to announce the conclusion of the project “Better Representation of White-Collar Workers” (BEREP) which has provided key insights into the growing importance of white-collar workers in the manufacturing sector. We are excited to launch a toolbox for organising, recruiting, and engaging white-collar workers, now available on our website.
The toolbox is based on extensive online surveys, expert interviews and feedback from our member organisations.
The research highlights several important trends and opportunities for trade unions:
- Increasing proportion: White-collar workers now make up 41% of the manufacturing workforce in Europe, surpassing blue-collar workers in some countries.
- Openness to Unions: Many white-collar workers find unions useful and are willing to join, but they often require a tailored approach to recruitment.
- Distinct Needs: This group prioritises services like support for career development and assistance with the regulation of overtime or the right to disconnect, which unions must address.
- Digital Potential: With stronger digital skills and better access to tools, digital organising can be particularly effective for engaging white-collar workers.
- Peer-to-Peer Success: Organising efforts are more successful when white-collar workers themselves engage their peers.
These findings are detailed in the research report and are worth exploring for valuable insights and strategic planning of trade unions’ organising drives.
Isabelle Barthès, industriAll Europe Deputy General Secretary: “We strongly encourage all affiliates to prioritise organising, recruiting, engaging, and activating white-collar workers. The new toolbox provides practicable strategies, templates, and resources to support these efforts, helping unions to strengthen their presence in workplaces and build collective power in a changing industrial landscape.”
The toolbox should be widely disseminated and can be found here