Germany: warning strikes in the metal sector

Demonstration by the German metalworkers' union IG Metall (IGM) in Leipzig, eastern Germany, on September 10, to demand an 8% wage increase during the next collective negotiations.

AFP - JENS SCHLUETER

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Warning strikes began at midnight in the German metalworking industry as talks between IG Metall and employers stalled.

The union is calling for a substantial catch-up in the face of very high inflation.

The Federation of Metallurgy invokes the slowdown in the economy and presented an offer rejected by IG Metall.

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With our correspondent in Berlin,

Bonus or salary increase.

That is the question.

Faced with inflation that now exceeds 10% in Germany, the IG Metall union is demanding 8% more for the 3.8 million employees in the machine tool or automotive industry.

Employers offer them a bonus of 3,000 euros, and an agreement valid for two and a half years.

For IG Metall, this is not enough;

the union wants a salary increase over time.

To increase the pressure on the employers before the next “round” of negotiations on November 10, walkouts of a few hours are organized from this Saturday.

IG Metall could later, for lack of progress, move up a gear with 24-hour strikes.

The coffers of the organization, with nearly a billion euros, are well filled to finance work stoppages and the loss of earnings of union members.

The union, pragmatic, is aware of the difficulties of certain companies, which could be taken into account with exceptions compared to a global agreement.

In chemicals, a 6.5% wage increase in two stages and the payment of two bonuses of 1,500 euros each had been negotiated.

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