The biggest union in Germany, the IG-Metall, is asking for the introduction of new working time models, better suited for families’ needs. In an interview, Jörg Hofmann, second in command, said that his federation was going to launch an offensive in favor of a 30-hour week for families. On Monday, the union said that it didn’t want a general working time cut but a new debate on working time in order to grant a wish made by employees. Thus, searching for new working time arrangements should be at the center of the next collective negotiations – in 2015 in the metal and electronics industries.
Reviving the debate on working time. Since the successful introduction, in 1995, of the 35-hour week in the metal industry in western Germany, following a historical fight won by the IG-Metall, and its failure in eastern Germany in 2003 in spite of a long strike, the issue of working time reduction has been one of the most controversial topics between the sector’s social partners.
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