union
IG Metall boss: Germany needs a plan
The industry is in crisis. Germany’s largest union quickly expects solutions from the future federal government. And threatens at the same time: your strike fund is well filled.
IG Metall calls for an immediate program to secure industrial workplaces in Germany from the future federal government. “We don’t have time to lose, I even think: we only have one shot clear,” said the first chairman of the largest German union, Christiane Benner, in Frankfurt. “This country now needs a plan for the future, people need a clear perspective.”
In industry, there are thousands of jobs on the brink, for example with car manufacturers and their suppliers as well as in the steel industry. “A new one has to arise for every eliminating workplace. Everyone must now make their contribution to keeping added value in the country and at the same time to locate new jobs and industries,” warned Benner.
Pressure on new federal government
On an action day on March 15, IG Metall wants to emphasize its demands. Demonstrations are planned in Frankfurt, Hanover, Cologne, Leipzig and Stuttgart. The date was deliberately laid on the time after the Bundestag election to “bring our demands onto the streets during the coalition negotiations,” said Benner.
Despite a continuing loss of membership, IG Metall sees itself strongly positioned. 2,096,511 members counted Germany’s largest union at the turn of 2024/2025. The decline of 1.9 percent of the previous year is primarily declared by job cuts in the metal and electrical industry. In 2018, the union had more than 2.27 million members, and since then the numbers have decreased steadily.
Strike fund “properly filled”
On the other hand, the membership fees have been going up for years: Last year, IG Metall’s contributions added to the record of 642 million euros. IG Metall explains the plus of 22 million euros within a year with tariff increases and a growing number of members in higher salary groups.
“The strike fund is properly filled,” said main cashier Nadine Boguslawski. “Of course, this also means in the direction of the employer: we are always striking for a very long time.” Most of the income (238 million euros), the union puts more than 140 branches in the companies and on site in its more than 140 branches nationwide.
IG Metall UA to membership development board IG Metall IG-Metall action day 15 March 2025
dpa
Source: Stern
