trade unionist
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trade unionist
A member or official of a trade union, that is, an organization that represents employees' interests in relation to employers.
Die Gewerkschafter forderten in den Verhandlungen eine Lohnerhöhung von fünf Prozent.
The trade unionists demanded a five percent wage increase in the negotiations.
The word is made up of 'Gewerkschaft' (trade union) and the ending '-er'. In German, the ending '-er' is often used to refer to a male person who belongs to a group or performs a certain activity.
Als überzeugter Gewerkschafter setzt er sich für die Rechte seiner Kollegen ein.
As a committed trade unionist, he stands up for the rights of his colleagues.
The word belongs to the word family around 'die Gewerkschaft' (the trade union). A trade union is an organization of employees. So a 'Gewerkschafter' (trade unionist) is a person who is active in this organization.
Die Gewerkschaft hat zu einem landesweiten Streik aufgerufen.
The trade union has called for a nationwide strike.
Trade unionists are often involved in actions described with verbs such as 'fordern' (to demand), 'verhandeln' (to negotiate), 'protestieren' (to protest), or 'einen Streik organisieren' (to organize a strike). These words often appear in the same sentence.
Die Gewerkschafter verhandeln mit der Unternehmensleitung über bessere Arbeitsbedingungen.
The trade unionists are negotiating with company management about better working conditions.
works council
'Betriebsrat' and 'Gewerkschafter' both have to do with employees' interests. A Betriebsrat is an elected works council in a specific company; the word can also refer to an individual person from this body. A Gewerkschafter is a member or official of a trade union, meaning a larger organization outside a single workplace. The words are easily confused because both advocate for employees. The difference is the setting: Betriebsrat in the company, Gewerkschafter in the trade union.
Ein Gewerkschafter erklärte den Mitarbeitern ihre Rechte beim Streik.
A trade unionist explained the employees' rights during the strike.
Der Betriebsrat hat mit der Geschäftsleitung über die neuen Arbeitszeiten gesprochen.
The works council spoke with management about the new working hours.