DossierLabour Struggles for Social Justice
With oligarchs dominating the US government, a former BlackRock executive set to become German Chancellor, and far-right parties part of the government in more and more European countries, trade unions play an increasingly vital role. As crucial organizations and representatives of working-class interests, they form a powerful bulwark against the Right and the rich. Through collective bargaining, mobilization, and militant strikes, they can challenge the powers that be and put right-wing forces in their place like no other social movement can.
Whether in Germany, India, or even the US — industrial action has achieved considerable success against tough odds, demonstrating the power of left-wing counterpower in practice. It is in that spirit that the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation is hosting the sixth Conference on Trade Union Renewal in Berlin on 2–4 May 2025 under the motto “Building Power against Hostile Headwinds”, where thousands of trade unionists will gather to discuss the strategies and tactics of the labour movement. In the run-up to the conference, this dossier looks at the trade unions’ responses to rearmament, the state of trade union renewal, and highlights current struggles in Germany and around the world.
