Frankfurt am Main/Kaarst – After an unsuccessful third collective bargaining agreement in Kaarst (NRW), IG Metall wants to intensify the warning strikes in the West German textile and clothing industry. Negotiator Miriam Bürger was disappointed after the eight-hour meeting on Wednesday evening: “Employers are blocking central issues of the employees. In particular, they refuse long-term compensation for inflation to low-income earners. And they deny good partial retirement as a perspective for a dignified transition to retirement.”
After an initial wave of action and warning strikes with over 13,500 participants, the union now wants to increase the pressure on employers. “Anyone who refuses to do so at the negotiating table on future issues is actually calling for more protests in front of the factory gates. You don’t fight the shortage of skilled workers by chasing profits, but above all by showing more respect for the employees,” said Bürger.
IG Metall is demanding 8 percent more wages and salaries for 12 months, but at least a monthly base amount of 200 euros. In addition, the union is demanding a continuation of the collectively agreed partial retirement arrangements with better conditions.
The employers’ association, on the other hand, only offers a permanent pay increase of 4.0 percent from October 1, 2023 and 2.5 percent from October 1, 2024 with a term of 26 months in addition to an “inflation compensation premium”. The employers do not want to continue the existing partial retirement scheme.
Around 100,000 people work in the West German textile and clothing industry. The next, fourth collective bargaining agreement was agreed between IG Metall and the employer for March 31, 2023.