Despite certain somewhat alarming reports, metals sector collective negotiations between the IG Metall union and the employers Gesammtmetall body still continue under what can be called a reasonable conditions, and that in spite of a suspension of negotiations on Saturday 29 January, unprecedented recourse to 24-hour work stoppages, and employers’ complaints submissions. In the background, discussions continue and solutions are starting to be sketched out on salary increases and on the flexibile working time provision (28-hour working week) as requested by the IG Metall union. Fresh meetings between the parties will take place during the week of 05 February, at the end of which it will be clear if negotiations have failed and if the course is set towards a general strike,…OR not.
Negotiations at a crossroads. A general strike or a happy ending? Metals sector negotiations commenced on 15 November 2017 and are slowly but surely approaching their fulcrum, i.e. the point where they will either move towards compromoise and an agreement or unusually, towards a general strike. So currently the social partners find themselves at a crossroads. On one side the IG Metall union stands firmly behind its demands. It is seeking a 6% salary increase over 2 months as well as the right f
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