Metal and electrical industries
IG Metall starts warning strikes across the country
In the metal collective bargaining round, IG Metall calls for the first warning strikes. The drastic savings plans at VW make the seriousness of the situation abundantly clear.
Overshadowed by drastic savings plans at the car manufacturer VW, IG Metall begins nationwide warning strikes in the German metal and electrical industry. The strikes, each lasting several hours, should begin at midnight in individual companies, as the union in Frankfurt announced. The peace obligation in collective bargaining for around 3.9 million employees, including in mechanical engineering and the automotive industry, expired on Monday.
VW Osnabrück plant as a hotspot
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. According to the works council, factory closures and mass layoffs are on the board’s agenda, which has not initially confirmed the plans in detail.
IG Metall’s main argument for significant wage increases is the lack of purchasing power of employees after years of high inflation. First chairwoman Christiane Benner explained: “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.
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 be interested in a quick conclusion. ” As things currently stand, the offer means real wage security for the employees.
Employers demand quick completion
The third round of regional collective bargaining begins in Kiel and Hanover this Tuesday (October 29th). Nordmetall negotiator Lena Ströbele called on the union to reach a quick conclusion. A better economic situation cannot be “striked” for. Employers and trade unions have a responsibility to create a fair solution with long-term planning security for everyone involved.
IG Metall on collective bargaining rounds M+E 2024 Total metal on collective bargaining round M+E 2024
dpa
Source: Stern
