IG Metall issued the first warning shot in the collective negotiations concerning the metal industry, which comprises 3.7 million employees. Just after midnight, when the social clause prohibiting strike action expired, members of IG Metall began walk-outs in the south and west of Germany, with affected companies including Daimler, Faurecia and Premum Aerotec. These warning strikes, which will successively affect numerous companies in the sector, are thought to involve up to 100,000 employees. While the union is demanding an increase of 5.5% over 12 months, the employers’ offer — made at the beginning of the week — is only 2.2%. In terms of how each side views the overall situation, their analyses are diametrically opposed. This is weighing heavily on debates. Furthermore, the employers are outright rejecting the IG Metall’s demand for the introduction of time for vocational training. Negotiations will continue on 6 February.
5.5% versus 2.2%. As could have been predicted, the offer made by Gesamtmetall — the metal industry employers’ federation — is far from what the trade union had hoped for. The employers propose a 2.2% increase over 12 months, starting from 1 March, while the union had demanded a 5.5% increase.
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