A new trade union for Berlin nightclub workers has been established to combat the exploitation of workers in the nightlife industry. The Berliner Clubarbeitenden Gewerkschaft trade union intends to improve the working conditions and create legal infrastructure for club workers to find support. It also aims to galvanize a support network among industry workers that will provide the forums for opening up discussions.
The founders were prompted to launch the initiative as a result of what they perceive as predatory management practices. The club scene in Berlin is internationally renowned, and its emergence as a cultural hub has brought about an abundance of partygoers, international tourists, and DJs. However, the nighttime entertainment industry is notorious for its unsavoury working conditions and long hours. Thus, the Union has been established to change how these systems work.
Through the union, workers hope to organize events and carry out negotiations with club owners to secure better wages and work conditions. The Union is also hopeful that these alliances will reduce the exploitation of workers, which has been an ongoing problem in the industry, particularly since the pandemic. With a relatively small number of club owners owning the majority of the venues and regularly expanding their business portfolios in Berlin, many industry insiders fear the next wave of openings will continue without providing workers with the necessary safety nets. Therefore, the Union is well timed to address this issue head-on.
The launch also comes in the wake of Germany’s impending parliamentary elections, with the Union hopeful of securing support from the various political parties and making headway for meaningful change in the industry. The established presence of the trade union presents an ideal opportunity for industry workers to make their voice heard, share concerns, and demand better working conditions for all participants. It is clear that now, more than ever, the Berliner Clubarbeitenden Gewerkschaft is the necessary organization required to put the livelihoods of workers front and centre in the nightlife scene
Read the full article from Mixmag here: Read More