Union Bosses, Which Side Are You On? . . . Capital, Of Course
Oliver Burkhard, head of Germany’s IG Metall (IGM) trade union, will soon be taking over as head of personnel at the multination Thyssen Krupp. His annual income will rise to €2 million, or more than €160,000 a month, according to the World Socialist Website.
Many have accused Burkhard of being a turncoat. However, his new job is really only a change in title. Union bosses maintain a unique and opaque position in the economy, serving as the enforcers of capital by pushing their members to toe the line, accept concessions and avoid work stoppages at all costs, while at the same time portraying themselves as advocates for