1. Introduction
DaimlerChrysler - A truly global company
DaimlerChrysler is unique in the automotive industry and is the world's fifth-largest car maker. Their product portfolio ranges from small cars to sports cars and luxury sedans; and from versatile vans to heavy duty trucks or comfortable coaches. The most valuable brands come together under the roof of DaimlerChrysler: Brands like Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Smart are only a few of them. DaimlerChrysler has got a lateral diversification within its product range: It also offers Financial Services next to the production of automobiles. Those are called the DaimlerChrysler Financial Services and the DaimlerChrysler Bank.
The products of DaimlerChrysler are sold in more than 200 countries. DaimlerChrysler operates on a global shareholder base with a global workforce. With almost 390,000 employees it achieves revenues of many billion Euros per year.
Source: Online on 3-12-2005: http://www2.daimlerchrysler.com
2. Employee Representation
2.1 Trade Unions
Within Germany DaimlerChrysler is almost fully unionised with 95% employees being represented by a trade union. Outside Germany, the workforces of almost all production plants with more than 1,000 employees have trade union representation. The two major trade unions representing the employees are the IG Metall in Germany and the UAW (Union United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America) in the USA.
2.2 Co-Determination within the enterprise
Since DaimlerChrysler is a German stock corporation it has to follow the German Law considering the representation of ...