Die Linke: union activity?

[Die Neue Zeit]

A few days ago, one of the major unions in Germany said they wouldn't be supporting any party in the upcoming general election. In the past, said union supported the SPD.

Where is Die Linke's union activity, besides the former WASG?

[Q]

A few days ago, one of the major unions in Germany said they wouldn't be supporting any party in the upcoming general election. In the past, said union supported the SPD.

Where is Die Linke's union activity, besides the former WASG?
You seem to be up to date on this topic. You tell us.

[Asoka89]

From one of my comrades:


Die LINKE does have some influence in the trade unions, mainly at the
lower level, but the overwhelming majority of trade union officials were
and still are connected with the SPD. The fact the the IGMetall, one of
the bigger unions, has for the first time ever said it won't make a
recommendation is a sign of a growing breach between the unions and the
SPD, which can onyl be welcomed by socialists and activists.

This decision was taken despite the fact that the head of teh union is a
member of the national executive of the SPD and the majority of member
of teh union executive are also SPD members.

It was however among local officials of the IGMetall that one of the
initiatives arose that led to the founding of the WASG, which fused with
the PDS to form DIE LINKE.

IGMetall is the engineering and metal-workers union. Another area where
there is some support is in teh public sector workers union, ver.di.

In the east a number of prominent trade union officials, some of them
originally from the West, have joined DIE LINKE in the recent past.

Hope that's of some help!

[L.J.Solidarity]

Die Linke has some union activity, AG Betrieb und Gewerkschaft, the group responsible for working in the unions is the largest and one of the most influential groups within the party. In Hamburg, Die Linke has gained a majority within the teacher's union GEW, and in the southern state of Baden-Württemberg Bernd Riexinger, the state secretary of ver.di, is also state leader of Die Linke. Of course, more could be done in the unions and in some areas the Left Party's union officials behave like those of the DKP usually did, e.g. they opportunistically adapt very much to the policies of SPD union leaderships in order not to risk their positions.

[Lolshevik]

Which leads me to think, the only way for Die Linke to gain more union support, at the expense of the Social Democrats, would be to take principled socialist positions so as to win over trade unionists who are unsatisfied with the Social Democrats' frequent betrayals and let-downs.

[redarmyfaction38]

Which leads me to think, the only way for Die Linke to gain more union support, at the expense of the Social Democrats, would be to take principled socialist positions so as to win over trade unionists who are unsatisfied with the Social Democrats' frequent betrayals and let-downs.
so what is a "principled" socialist position nowadays?
that's not meant to be a negative comment btw.