Against a backdrop of preparations being in full swing for the upcoming negotiations on renewing the metals and electro technical collective agreement, the IG Metall union has confirmed that it has developed a new strike tactic that, if necessary, could be applied during the negotiations. The union is looking at a new tool that would come between “warning strikes”, which are relatively short-term and harmless and “general strikes”, which companies view with great misgiving. The new tool would take the form of a strike of up to 24 hours and which would be voted upon at company level. Employers are worried about the potential fall-out on the social climate reigning in businesses.
Warning strikes, up until now IG Metall’s instrument of choice. In Germany a distinction is made between “warning strikes” (Warnstreik) and “general strikes” (flächendeckender Streik). Warning strikes tend to last just two or three hours. No union vote is needed and they are allowed during the period when negotiations are undergoing. General strikes are of an unlimited duration and are much more rare. These strikes can occur if negotiations have broken down and when more than 75% of union membe
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