Collective bargaining
Steel industry in “difficult location” – tariff discussions started
The steel industry is not doing well. In the case of collective bargaining, IG Metall therefore attaches importance to employment securing. However, it should not go out without wage plus.
The collective bargaining has started in the steel industry suffering from economic weakness and cheap imports. In a first round in Düsseldorf, the “Northwest” and “Ost” workers with a total of around 68,000 employees started in a joint first round in Düsseldorf.
According to the IG Metall union, the employers initially made no offer: “Unfortunately, we have not been able to do anything from the employers today how they want to do justice to their responsibility for quick and fair solutions,” said negotiator Knut Giesler, according to the announcement. However, they would have announced this for the second trial on Friday. Then the talks in Düsseldorf should be continued.
The obligation to peace ends on September 30th. After that, warning strikes are possible. Negotiations for Saarland only start in mid -November.
IG Metall wants inflation compensation
In advance, IG Metall emphasized the “extremely difficult situation” of the steel industry. The union therefore went into the negotiations without a specific wage claim. However, it was emphasized that inflation had to be balanced and that employment had to be secured. The unpaid claim is a great advance of trust in the employees, said Giesler after the talks. The expectation is also that in the end they have no less money in their wallet.
The Stahl employers’ association had rejected the demand for wage increases. “Even if it is to be recognized that the union is apparently aware of the dramatic situation of the German steel industry, the demand for an increase in fees exceeds the possibilities of our industry in the current economic situation,” it said.
Expensive energy and high US tariffs
The German steel industry suffers from the crisis in buyers, especially the auto industry. In addition, there are increased energy prices, cheap imports from China and the costs for the conversion to a more climate -friendly steel production. Even high tariffs on steel imports in the USA are troubled by the industry. Industry heavyweights like Thyssenkrupp plan the dismantling of thousands.
dpa
Source: Stern
