Following the recent conclusion of agreements in the metals and construction sectors it is now the turn of the important chemicals and energy sectors to renegotiate their sector agreements. At the end of last week the IG BCE union indicated it would be calling for a 5% salary increase for the 550,000 employees in the sector. The BAVC employers’ body has not as yet made any counter-proposal and for its part is drawing attention to very different contrasting outlooks for both sectors. In the energy sector where energy transition is changing the landscape, management teams at companies such as RWE are calling for an overall fall in salaries of 25%. In chemicals, the social partners in the rubber sub-sector have called for a 5% pay rise over twenty-four months.
Collective negotiations in Germany’s third largest industrial sector of chemicals and energy started on 30 May in Hessen with as yet no results. As is usually the case, the week before the IG BCE union presented its official national demands, including a 5% pay rise as well as changes to a pre-existing agreement on (‘The future via training and employment’) apprenticeships.
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