Hans-Jürgen Urban is a worker–social scientist involved in the German labor movement from an early age. He serves on the executive board of IG Metall and regularly publishes books and articles on socialist and trade union strategy.
Olaf Scholz’s government has announced relief measures to help Germans pay their energy bills. But what they really need is wage rises — and government action that stops gas giants from profiting from this crisis.
Rooted in Germany’s metalworks industries, IG Metall is one of the world’s strongest trade unions. But the need for climate action is forcing it to take a more critical approach to the industries where its members work — and fight for a green transition that creates new kinds of high-paid, fulfilling jobs.