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Soli - 14.06.00 Grassroots Union: Prohibited! In January 2010 the Berlin Regional Court decided that the local branch of the �Freie Arbeiterinnen- und Arbeiter-Union� (Free Workers Union; FAU) could no longer call itself a �union� or �grassroots union�. This is the culmination of a series of legal maneuvers by the management of the cinema �Neue Babylon Berlin GmbH� to hinder the strongest and most active workers' association in that company. This attack is tantamount to a de-facto ban of the union. In our opinion, nobody should dictate to the workers how they should organize. If it isn't overturned, this verdict will not only represent an affront against the FAU Berlin but also against any form of independent grassroots organising in Germany. For more information: Special section about the ban (In German, with links to other languages). Cinema �Babylon Mitte� workers' blog (German) Press contact: Lars R�hm | faub5(a)fau.org | +49 (0)1577 8491072 other languages: English | Fran�ais | Castellano | Slovak (external) | German [mehr »]

Presseerkl�rung - 21.12.11 After a complaint by the FAU Berlin, the UN labor organization ILO reiterates the rights of minority trade unions. ILO calls on German government to protect union rights In their November 2011 report, the International Labor Organisation (ILO) called on the German government to ensure that the Free Workers' Union (Freie Arbeiterinnen- und Arbeiter-Union; FAU) is allowed to defend the interest of its members in accordance with ILO Conventions 87 and 89. The Committee on Freedom of Association of the UN agency repeated its previous stance that it was essential that minority trade unions like the FAU be given the right to publicly express their opinion, access the workplace of union members, and participate in meetings of the works' council if it is representative at the level of the relevant enterprise. Press release in other languages: English | Fran�ais | Castellano | German [mehr »]

News - 13.06.10 Deal With It! The FAU Berlin Can Call Itself a Union About 50 people gathered in the biggest hall of Berlin's Higher Court on the morning of June 10th. They were waiting for the decision on the FAU Berlin's appeal on whether they could call themselves a union. Only 15 minutes into the trial, the judge delivered the verdict. The injunction is overturned; the ban is repealed; the crowd goes wild. [mehr »]

News - 27.05.10 Direct Actions for Union Freedoms [Update 12.6.10] On June 10th the trial for union freedoms in Germany goes into the second round. Leading up to the trial, unions and active workers around the world will take action. This court case is not only about the FAU Berlin calling itself a union, it's about whether grassroots unions can exist in Germany. In this article we will collect reports of the actions against the de-facto prohibition of the FAU Berlin and solidarity with the struggle of the workers at the Babylon Mitte cinema for better working conditions. [mehr »]

News - 23.05.10 Berlin Courts' Logic Supply Dangerously Low An interview with Lars R�hm about the fine against the FAU Berlin In April, the FAU Berlin was charged 200 Euros for referring to itself as a union in its statutes. In December 2009, an injunction had been issued forcing them to remove the word union from all their publications. However the banned word remained in the statutes until mid-March as a change there would have taken several months. The management of the Babylon Mitte Cinema filed for the charges in February 2010. The injunction was also filed for by the same cinema's management during a labor dispute with its employees, which the FAU Berlin was supporting. This is the first time that a workers' association has been banned from calling itself a union in Germany. [mehr »]

News - 13.04.10 Radio Interview about the FAU Berlin and Babylon Mitte Cinema Rob from the FAU Berlin talked with Patrick from Dissident Island Radio in London in February about the background behind the de-facto prohibition of the FAU Berlin. How could this happen? What does it mean for the rights of workers in Germany? What's happening in the Babylon Mitte Cinema? Give it a listen: Link to download page [mehr »]

News - 21.02.10 Demonstration for Union Liberties Accompanies Berlinale Award Ceremony On February 20, 2010, 600 people marched through Berlin for more union liberties in Germany. The FAU Berlin had called for the protest because a Berlin court barred them from referring to themselves as a union. [mehr »]

News - 20.02.10 Reports from global day of protest against union bans in Germany (Update 02-20) On January 29/30, 2010, there were protests in at least 52 cities in 20 countries all over the planet against a verdict that prohibits workers in Berlin from affiliating themselves with the union of their choice. The bosses at the Babylon Mitte Cinema managed to find a court to ban the FAU Berlin workers association from calling itself a union. The bosses at the Babylon are now trying to get the FAU Berlin charged with fines or even imprisoned. The background to this bizarre judicial maneuver, which is unprecedented in post-fascist Germany, is a month-long labor dispute between the FAU shop-floor and the management of the Babylon Mitte Cinema. On this special page you will find reports, photos and links about actions during the global day of protest. More information about the conflict can be found on our German language special section and our English language special section. [mehr »]

News - 17.02.10 Judge Upholds Boycott Ban on FAU Berlin On February 16, 2010, The regional labor court of Berlin confirmed that the FAU (Free Workers' Union) Berlin can't call for a boycott of the Babylon Mitte Cinema. In October 2009, the same court had issued an injunction against the boycott at the behest of the cinema's bosses. [mehr »]

News - 29.01.10 Before the Ban A history of the Babylon conflict before the de-facto ban of the FAU Berlin The Babylon cinema located in Berlin's Mitte district can look back at over 80 years of cinematic tradition. Its location in a historically preserved building and its art-house program give it the best chances for success in a sophisticated city like Berlin. Unfortunately this hasn't translated into good working conditions. With little outlook for improvement, the employees decided to take matters into their own hands. [mehr »]

News - 23.01.10 FAU-IAA calls for a global day of protest Protest on January 29 and 30, 2010 against attacks on union freedom in Germany (M�nster, 15/1/2010) At the beginning of January, a court in Berlin, Germany, reaffirmed that the local federation of the Free Workers� Union (FAU) is prohibited from calling itself a union or a grassroots union. If the FAU Berlin were to dare to do otherwise, it would face a fine of EUR 250,000 USD 357,000) or a prison sentence. [mehr »]

Presseerkl�rung - 22.01.10 Kino Babylon Wants the FAU Berlin Charged On January 12, the management of the Babylon Mitte cinema filed for charges at the Berlin Regional Court against the FAU Berlin and called for a "harsh fine or the imprisonment of the FAU Berlin's secretaries for breaking court orders". [mehr »]

News - 06.01.10 Court Reaffirms Ban � Way Cleared for FAU Berlin to Federal Constitutional Court The injunction against the FAU Berlin has been confirmed in the trial between the Neue Babylon Mitte GmbH and the FAU Berlin; this means, the FAU Berlin continues to be banned from calling itself a union or a grassroots union. The 10th Senate of the Berlin Regional Court thus reaffirmed its own decision from December 11, 2009. [mehr »]

News - 19.12.09 Demonstration for the Freedom to Unionize a Success 300 people demonstrated against the court decision prohibiting the FAU Berlin from calling itself a union. [This is a translation of the German press release | versi�n castellano | version fran�aise] [mehr »]