der  Arbeitskampf

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʁbaɪ̯tskampf/

🎯 What Exactly is 'der Arbeitskampf'?

The German noun der Arbeitskampf refers to the collective conflict or dispute between employers (or their associations) and employees (represented by trade unions) to enforce their respective interests in working life. It usually concerns the shaping of working conditions, especially wages, working hours, and job security.

The best-known forms of Arbeitskampf are the Streik (strike - work stoppage by employees) and the Aussperrung (lockout - exclusion of employees from work by the employer).

It always refers to a collective action, not the conflict of an individual employee with their boss.

⚠️ Important: Arbeitskämpfe (plural) in Germany are legally regulated (e.g., by the Tarifvertragsgesetz - Collective Bargaining Act and the fundamental right to freedom of association, Art. 9 Abs. 3 GG - Grundgesetz).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Under the Microscope: Der Arbeitskampf

The word 'Arbeitskampf' is a masculine noun. It uses the article der.

Declension of der Arbeitskampf

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Arbeitskampf der Gewerkschaft dauerte mehrere Wochen.
   (The union's industrial action lasted several weeks.)
2. Die Tarifverhandlungen scheiterten und führten zu einem Arbeitskampf.
   (The collective bargaining failed and led to a labour dispute.)
3. Während des Arbeitskampfes ruhte die Produktion.
   (Production ceased during the industrial action.)
4. Die Parteien suchen nach einer Lösung, um den Arbeitskampf beizulegen.
   (The parties are looking for a solution to settle the labour dispute.)
5. Viele Branchen erlebten in ihrer Geschichte harte Arbeitskämpfe.
   (Many industries experienced tough labour disputes in their history.)

🗣️ Everyday Usage and Context

The term Arbeitskampf is mainly used in the context of collective bargaining (Tarifverhandlungen), trade union activities (Gewerkschaftsaktivitäten), and labour law disputes (arbeitsrechtliche Auseinandersetzungen). It is rather formal and often found in news reports, political discussions, and specialist texts.

• Context: Economy, politics, law, trade unions, human resources.
• Typical Phrases: "einen Arbeitskampf führen" (to conduct industrial action), "im Arbeitskampf sein" (to be in a labour dispute), "den Arbeitskampf beilegen" (to settle the labour dispute), "harter Arbeitskampf" (tough labour dispute), "Tarifrunde und Arbeitskampf" (bargaining round and industrial action).
• Distinction: While 'Streik' (strike) is a specific action by employees, 'Arbeitskampf' is the umbrella term that can also include the 'Aussperrung' (lockout) by employers, as well as the entire dispute. A 'Konflikt am Arbeitsplatz' (conflict at the workplace) can also refer to individual disputes, whereas 'Arbeitskampf' is always collective.

💡 Mnemonics to Help You Remember

For the article (der): Think of der Kampf (the fight/struggle). An Arbeitskampf is a type of struggle, and 'Kampf' is masculine. So: der Arbeitskampf.

For the meaning: Imagine at Arbeit (work, e.g., in a factory), a real Kampf (fight) breaks out – not with fists, but with demands, strikes, and negotiations. Arbeit + Kampf = dispute about working conditions.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words:

• Konflikt: (General term for dispute, can also be individual)
• Auseinandersetzung: (General term for discussion or argument)

😂 A Little Joke on the Topic

German:

Fragt der Chef seine Mitarbeiter: "Wer von Ihnen glaubt, überbezahlt zu sein?" Meldt sich niemand. "Okay, wer glaubt, unterbezahlt zu sein?" Alle Hände gehen hoch. "Gut, und wer ist bereit, für eine bessere Bezahlung in den Arbeitskampf zu treten?" Alle Hände gehen runter, bis auf eine. Fragt der Chef den Einen: "Sie sind mutig! Was wollen Sie sagen?" Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Ich wollte nur fragen, gegen wen wir kämpfen sollen? Gegen Sie oder gegen die Inflation?"

English Translation:

The boss asks his employees: "Which of you believes they are overpaid?" No one speaks up. "Okay, who believes they are underpaid?" All hands go up. "Good, and who is ready to enter into industrial action for better pay?" All hands go down, except for one. The boss asks the one: "You're brave! What do you want to say?" The employee replies: "I just wanted to ask, who are we supposed to fight? You or inflation?"

📜 Poem: Echo of the Factory

German:

Wenn Sirenen ruh'n und Hämmer schweigen,
die Werkbank leer, die Zahlen steigen –
Nicht im Profit, doch im Disput,
liegt oft der Arbeitskampfes Glut.

Für Lohn, für Zeit, für Würdigkeit,
steht man zusammen, kampfbereit.
Ein Ringen stark, mal laut, mal leis,
um einen fairen, harten Preis.

Der Tisch ist rund, doch oft geteilt,
bis Einigung die Wunde heilt.
Sozialer Pakt und Gleichgewicht,
des Arbeitskampfes wahres Licht.

English Translation:

When sirens rest and hammers fall silent,
the workbench empty, the numbers rising –
Not in profit, but in dispute,
often lies the heat of the
Arbeitskampf.

For wage, for time, for dignity,
they stand together, ready to fight.
A struggle strong, sometimes loud, sometimes quiet,
for a fair, hard-earned price.

The table is round, yet often divided,
until agreement heals the wound.
Social pact and balance bright,
the Arbeitskampf's true guiding light.

❓ Who am I? A Riddle

German:

Ich bin kein Krieg mit Schwert und Schild,
doch oft ein angespanntes Bild.
Gewerkschaft trifft auf Direktion,
es geht um Zeit, es geht um Lohn.
Mal ruht die Arbeit, still und starr,
mal wird verhandelt, Jahr für Jahr.
Zwischen Streik und Kompromiss,
wie heißt dies Ringen, sag es gewiss?

English Translation:

I am no war with sword and shield,
but often a tense picture revealed.
Union meets management's direction,
it's about time, it's about pay's reflection.
Sometimes work rests, silent and stark,
sometimes negotiated, leaving its mark.
Between strike and compromise,
what is this struggle called, be precise?

Solution: Der Arbeitskampf

🧩 Other Interesting Aspects

Word Composition

The word 'Arbeitskampf' is a compound noun, composed of:

• Die Arbeit: work, labour, employment.
• Der Kampf: fight, struggle, battle, conflict.

The composition directly illustrates the core meaning: a struggle or conflict in the context of work.

Historical Context

Arbeitskämpfe (labour disputes) are closely linked to industrialization and the emergence of trade unions in the 19th century. They were and remain an important instrument for improving the social situation of employees.