Metal and electrical industries
IG Metall: Nationwide warning strikes for more purchasing power
In the metal collective bargaining round, demands and offers are on the table. In the collective bargaining negotiations, which are accompanied by a poor economy, IG Metall wants to increase the pressure with warning strikes.
IG Metall is calling on its members in the metal and electrical industries to carry out nationwide warning strikes from Tuesday. The strikes, each lasting several hours, are scheduled to begin at midnight in individual companies, as the union in Frankfurt announced. Then the peace obligation ends in collective bargaining for around 3.9 million employees, including in mechanical engineering and the automotive industry.
The union’s main argument is the employees’ lack of purchasing power after years of high inflation. First chairwoman Christiane Benner explains: “The meager offer from employers ignores the seriousness of the situation. Our 3.9 million colleagues in the industry need more money. With the additional purchasing power, we are also strengthening the economy.”
The union and the employer are still far apart
In the negotiations, IG Metall is demanding 7 percent more money within one year, while the metal employers have offered 3.6 percent over a period of 27 months. The first stage of 1.7 percent is scheduled to take effect in July 2025. The companies point to weak production values and a lack of orders.
Nightly protests are planned, among other places, at the VW factory in Osnabrück, where the new IG Metall collective bargaining leader Nadine Boguslawski will speak. The plant threatened with closure does not fall under the VW collective bargaining agreement, but is part of the area collective agreement. This shows the close connection between the collective bargaining round and the problems at Germany’s largest car manufacturer, which no longer rules out plant closures and layoffs.
The employers’ association Gesamtmetall has warned against using the warning strikes to create unrealistic expectations among employees. President Stefan Wolf told the T-Online portal: “I have the impression that IG Metall has understood what is at stake. Since the economic situation is deteriorating almost every week, they should also have an interest in a quick conclusion.” As things currently stand, the offer means real wage security for the employees and is therefore a good basis for negotiations.
The third round of regional collective bargaining begins in Kiel and Hanover this Tuesday (October 29th).
IG Metall on collective bargaining rounds M+E 2024 Total metal on collective bargaining round M+E 2024
dpa
Source: Stern
