Frankfurt am Main – Before the fourth collective bargaining session this Friday, workers in the west German textile and clothing industry are increasing the pressure on employers with massive warning strikes: To date, more than 20,000 employees have taken part in warning strikes, rallies and actions – more than ever before in collective bargaining disputes in this industry over the past 25 years.
Miriam Bürger, chief negotiator at IG Metall: “The record participation in the warning strikes is a clear signal to employers and a clear request to finally take action. The colleagues are highly motivated and determined not to be fobbed off with a cheap offer. We call on employers to finally take this signal seriously and submit a significantly improved offer on Friday. The colleagues now urgently need a clear, table-effective pay increase – and they deserve it.”
The focus of the actions and rallies today were in Elmshorn (Schleswig-Holstein) and Giengen near Heidenheim (Baden-Württemberg). Among others, the employees of Carl Stahl, Paul Hartmann, Margarete Steiff, Vereinigte Filzfabrik, Ziegler and Zwisstek met here for a joint protest rally. They wanted to reinforce their demands and put pressure on employers.
IG Metall is demanding 8 percent more wages and salaries for 12 months for the approximately 100,000 employees in the west German textile and clothing industry, 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 wage 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.
The warning strike record of 20,000 participants falls in a special anniversary year: 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of the merger of the textile and clothing union with IG Metall.
The next, fourth collective bargaining will take place this Friday, March 31, in Billerbeck, North Rhine-Westphalia. The hearing begins at 2 p.m. A warning strike rally in front of the negotiation room in Billerbeck is already planned from 11.30 a.m.