1. From powerlessness to collective power
The catastrophic and worsening problems with landlords are not individual problems! They affect many, many people. Together, it is possible to build up pressure and tackle the acute problems and conditions with proven tenants’ union strategies.
2. Security in a large community
Tenants across Berlin network in the MGB, exchange information about developments and actions, strategies and problems and collectively defend their living space. The MGB umbrella offers protection and support for collective actions and structures.
3. Active networking
You can organize, exchange ideas and work together on specific issues in various groups. The tenants’ union already supports a number of struggles and organizations, but also cooperates with other groups and individuals on specific topics.
4. Information and skill sharing
There is always an exchange of knowledge on rental policy and tenats’ union issues at the monthly members’ meetings or local group meetings. In addition, the MGB prepares knowledge in numerous information materials and organizes workshops.
5. Community and exchange of experiences
At numerous meetings and in working groups, as well as at the quarterly union conferences, current topics are discussed and tenants’ union work is reflected upon. These are also opportunities for social interaction. There are also summer parties, fall parties and end-of-year events. Members share their visions, struggles and successes in a pleasant atmosphere.
6. Common resources
The union is financed exclusively by membership fees and therefore acts independently. These resources are available to all members in the relevant structures in their collective action against property owners.
7. Effective support for the rent struggle
Membership fees are used to support tenants’ struggles. Even if you can’t get actively involved on a regular basis, this is an opportunity to support collective action for tenants’ interests. We call for actions throughout the city, so there is always the opportunity to get involved in a meaningful way and to advance the individual struggles.
8. Democratization and self-empowerment
The MGB sees itself as an independent and grassroots democratic tenants’ union. As an emancipatory trade union, it pursues the development of a collective tenancy law that understands and realizes the tenants’ right to self-determination and the socialization of the private housing market as part of a struggle for a society based on solidarity.
9. Berlin-wide networking
Whether through cooperation with the Republikanischer Anwältinnen- und Anwälteverein (RAV) or in the Mietenwahnsinnsbündnis, the tenants’ union in Berlin is networked throughout the city and many members are active in their building communities and other alliances and initiatives.
10. National and international networking
Tenants’ unions are waging successful struggles across Europe and North America. Whether at meetings of the European Action Coalition or other international trade union meetings – the movement is growing, supporting each other and exchanging strategies and struggles. There are also networks and events in Germany and Berlin.