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The demarcation line between manual and non-manual workers is getting blurred and it may be difficult to classify workers strictly according to these two categories. Non-manual workers represent a diversified group of people, ranging from clerical workers, administrators, IT workers, technicians, engineers and supervisors/team leaders to managerial staff. Their needs are sometimes different, with an emphasis on individual rather than collective services. Some are closer to the shop floor and may have come from a background where trade union membership is part of the culture. But others have little or no connection with labour organisations. The higher the education level and the younger the person – especially those with an academic background – the more distant he/she is likely to be from trade unions.
Non-manual workers are to be found in all branches of the metal industry, but especially in electronics and ICT, engineering, aerospace and automotive manufacturing.
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