No place for discrimination in democratic unions

Only democracy promotes diversity, respect, tolerance and sustainability, and that is precisely what makes companies strong.

At its 4th Congress, industriAll Europe reaffirmed its commitment to promoting equal opportunities and combating all forms of discrimination in the workplace. “Discrimination has no place in our organisation and in democratic trade unions,” stated Judith Kirton-Darling, newly re-elected General Secretary of industriAll Europe.

To highlight outstanding efforts of its affiliates in this area, industriAll Europe presented its Diversity at Work award at Congress – now in its second edition following its launch at the 2023 mid-term conference. The award recognises impactful, shop floor-led initiatives by trade unionists aimed at fostering inclusion and equal opportunities across workplaces in Europe.

Tanja Lehtoranta (Pro, Finland), Chair of industriAll Europe’s Equal Opportunities Committee and member of the award jury, praised the efforts of all nominees: “So much inspiring and meaningful work is done by trade unions in Europe to support equality and diversity at the workplace. In these challenging times when our core values are under pressure, your work truly gives hope.”

This year’s award saw three initiatives honoured:

•    Third place: Community – Port Talbot Support Centre
•    Second place: Fellesforbundet – Aker Solutions
•    First place: IG Metall – “Protecting our Democracy, strengthening our core values”

The winning initiative, led by IG Metall and the group works council of Siemens AG was launched in response to rising far-right sentiment and political developments in Germany. The campaign mobilised thousands of Siemens employees at 65 sites nationwide through a wide array of actions—from public awareness campaigns and symbolic events to internal dialogue formats on diversity and tolerance. With strong management support, the initiative stood out for its broad reach, its grassroots character, and its powerful message in defence of democratic values and inclusive workplaces. 

“The aim of our campaign was to educate not only our company’s staff, but also their families and friends, about the consequences of a far-right populist threat to our democracy,” explained Metin Bukan from the Siemens Works Council in Berlin, who accepted the award.

“We wanted to raise awareness that right-wing extremism and nationalism threaten our jobs. Only democracy promotes diversity, respect, tolerance and sustainability, and that is precisely what makes companies strong.”

Winning the award can create momentum for further change. Elisabetta Agricola (FIOM CGIL), the inaugural winner, explained in a video message how the award had given much greater visibility to the initiative of creating a safe environment for LGBTQ+ employees at her company, ST Microelectronics, and had reinforced her union’s commitment to equality.

IndustriAll Europe’s Diversity at Work award will continue to be awarded every two years.

Video introducing the nominees for the diversity reward