Union Formation Through Merger : The Case of Ver.Di in Germany

This article is concerned with the recent merger of five German unions to form the new multi-industry union, ver.di. Its focus is on the effects of the merger and on developments in the post-merger phase. The article explores the various internal problems of the new union, concentrating on those that flow from the adoption of a matrix form of organisation. It deals also with the external relations of ver.di, with other unions and with the central organisation of German trade unions, the DGB. Central conclusions here are that the creation of ver.di is likely to exacerbate competition amongst German unions and further erode the position of the peak association