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 Röhm | faub5(a)fau.org | +49 (0)1577 8491072
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News - 21.02.10Demonstration for Union Liberties Accompanies Berlinale Award Ceremony |
News - 20.02.10Reports from global day of protest against union bans in Germany (Update 02-20) |
News - 17.02.10Judge Upholds Boycott Ban on FAU BerlinOn 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. |
News - 29.01.10Before the BanA history of the Babylon conflict before the de-facto ban of the FAU BerlinThe 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. |
Presseerklärung - 22.01.10Kino Babylon Wants the FAU Berlin ChargedOn 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". |
News - 06.01.10Court Reaffirms Ban – Way Cleared for FAU Berlin to Federal Constitutional CourtThe 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. |
News - 19.12.09Demonstration for the Freedom to Unionize a Success300 people demonstrated against the court decision prohibiting the FAU Berlin from calling itself a union. [This is a translation of the German press release | versión castellano | version française] |







