News

Deutsche Telekom has released its 2008-09 human resources report, revealing a gaping chasm between how the company treats workers in Germany and how it treats workers in the United States.



The company reported, under its slogan "Life is for sharing", that workers in Germany, who enjoy union representation through ver.di, won a pay increase of 5.5% through collective bargaining. Deutsche Telekom said that "salaries will rise by a reasonable amount" and that these outcomes give the company "a high level of planning security over the next two years, while also allowing employees to participate in the company's success".



In the United States, labour laws make it virtually impossible for many workers to join a union, and so Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile workers have no union representation and are not allowed to bargain collectively for their working conditions. In January 2009, T-Mobile USA's CEO sent an email to staff informing them of a freeze on their wages, saying that they would have to be "lean and mean" during the current economic climate.



The unfairness of this treatment of US workers seems even more unacceptable given T-Mobile USA made profit and revenue increases of 6-7% in 2008 and the fact that the USA business brings in 25% of the company's total revenue.



TU, the union for T-Mobile USA workers, was formed by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and ver.di to fight this inequity. Interested workers who join TU will be affiliated with both CWA and ver.di. Workers will also have the opportunity to discuss workplace issues, share grievances, and interact with both US and German union members.

More information can be found on: www.TUWorkers.org.