The union is demanding 8 percent more money and better old-age provision. Employers consider the demands to be unrealistic.
IG Metall wants to intensify its warning strikes in the German textile industry. “Employers block central issues of the employees”, explained IGM negotiator Miriam Bürger in Frankfurt. The day before, the third round of negotiations in Kaarst in North Rhine-Westphalia had ended without a result. Talks are scheduled to resume on March 31.
The employers accused the union of continuing the industrial action for completely unrealistic demands. The economic situation in the West German textile and clothing industry continues to be extremely tense. The announced closure of 52 Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof branches and the insolvency of Peek&Cloppenburg are putting additional pressure on clothing manufacturers.
IG Metall demands 8.0 percent more money for the approximately 100,000 employees in the industry for a period of twelve months, but at least a 200 euro salary increase. In addition, the collective pension scheme is to be increased.
According to IG Metall, the employers offered an inflation compensation premium of 1,500 euros and pay increases in two stages of 6.5 percent over a period of 26 months. The old-age provision should not be continued. The Textile and Fashion Association spoke of a total volume in the amount of the claim. There should even be over 10 percent more for the lower wage groups.
Source: Stern
