The Bavarian Federation of IG Metall has just signed a collective agreement with BLG (one of carmaker BMW’s major logistics subcontractors) over better pay and hours. It is the latest result of a global strategy underway since 2012 that aims to improve working conditions for subcontractor staff in the auto sector. This particular agreement is one element in union’s national “Secure and Fair Work” campaign that aims to generalize improved working conditions. Talks are currently underway with the union and BMW over an agreement that will enable the union to attain its goal without completely “depriving” BMW of the advantages of outsourcing. Other automakers such as Porsche are also on the union’s radar. IG Metall has also announced a national action day for this autumn devoted to this issue.
Rudolph Automotive Logistik, 2012 – a keystone agreement. Over recent years Germany’s machine tool and auto sectors have drastically cut costs and increased flexibility via outsourcing more and more of their production processes and logistics systems. Similar to department stores that rent out space for certain brands today’s factory spaces are being allocated to sub contractors’ whose own employees then produce according to contract (car seat manufacture, spare parts packaging, etc).
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