Frankfurt am Main – IG Metall calls on companies and politicians to consistently make the industry climate-neutral and thus strengthen good work in Germany for the future. “We now need a clear commitment from all sides to preserve and socially-ecologically transform Germany as an industrial location – with actions, not words,” says Christiane Benner, First Chairwoman of IG Metall, at the union’s annual press conference. “Companies must now go all out and invest in future technologies in this country. The traffic light coalition must give up its small-scale, sometimes dogmatic actions. We are convinced: the federal government can do better! She has to prove that this year and finally take the big hit.”
With a view to the current status of transformation in Germany, the first chairwoman paints a mixed picture: On the one hand, there are important new industrial settlements, for example for battery production or semiconductor production. At the same time, site closures and relocations are increasing, affecting entire regions.
Security in change is the best protection against disillusionment with politics
“Dein-industrialization endangers cohesion in the country and therefore also our democracy,” warns Benner. “Employees demand a clear perspective. Security in change – that is the best protection against disillusionment with politics.”
Specifically, IG Metall is calling for government investments of around 500 billion euros over a period of ten years. These are necessary in order to make Germany a future-proof business location.
Transformation commission called for
To ensure that the climate-neutral transformation of the industry makes faster and better progress, a new transformation commission is to be set up. Representatives from federal and state governments, companies, IG Metall and experts should quickly work on a concrete program. “We now need a task force for transformation that will show concretely by September: How do we achieve the climate goals and at the same time strengthen industry and jobs in Germany?” explains Jürgen Kerner, Second Chairman of IG Metall.
The new commission should define the necessary private and public investments to achieve the climate goals, clarify the state framework and the market incentives for triggering private investments and design a suitable, reliable and legally secure financing instrument for public investments.
“Employees now need an active industrial policy. The situation is too serious for party political games,” emphasizes Kerner. “Clear, forward-looking decisions are necessary: the debt brake should be abolished, or at least it must be reformed so that it is no longer a brake on the future and endangers jobs. We will not accept deindustrialization of Germany.”
More democracy in the company
Furthermore, from IG Metall’s perspective, a massive qualification and training offensive is needed so that the changing and newly emerging sectors offer a future to as many employees as possible. IG Metall also expects politicians to expand co-determination in companies and companies and to strengthen collective bargaining. “The employees need the experience that they are not at the mercy of the changes, but can help shape them. This is only possible with more democracy in the company,” says Christiane Benner.
Record number of new members and income
IG Metall itself sees itself as well positioned to meet future challenges. With 129,348 entries, last year’s record number of new members was once again exceeded – an increase of 10 percent. Only in 2018, before the outbreak of the pandemic, were there more accessions. The declines, which were largely due to demographic factors, were almost completely offset. With around 2.14 million members as of December 31, 2023, membership development is largely stable.
The influx of new members also strengthens the union’s finances: contribution income reached a peak of 620 million euros in 2023. The lion’s share of this goes to the 148 offices nationwide for work in local companies and industries.
“The influx of members in the companies ensures that our strike fund is well filled,” says Nadine Boguslawski, chief cashier at IG Metall.
Collective agreements are anchors of stability in times of upheaval
With a view to the upcoming collective bargaining round in the metal and electrical industries in the fall, Boguslawski says: “IG Metall will enter the upcoming collective bargaining negotiations in 2024 constructively and prepared for conflict. Our fight for collective bargaining is a fight to shape the transformation. Particularly in economically and politically turbulent times, collective agreements are an anchor of stability for democracy and provide security in times of change. The participation of our members in our demands as well as for the 3.9 million employees in the metal and electrical industry is a model for the transformation in companies as a whole.”
For social security and solidarity, against hatred and agitation
Hans-Jürgen Urban, managing board member, emphasizes the importance of social security, especially in times of upheaval: “Especially now, a brake on the welfare state and debates about cuts such as citizens’ benefit are the wrong approach. In times of upheaval, what was needed was social security and not further uncertainty. A stable welfare state is worth more than it costs. Ecological change can only occur with sufficient social investments. People can only be supported with social security. Our welfare state therefore requires solidarity-based financing so that it can decisively cushion the economy and structural change.”
Ralf Reinstädtler, executive board member, clearly rejects exclusion and attempts at division: “Fantasies of upheaval, hatred and agitation are not answers to change, but a fight against constructive, union commitment. We offer concerned employees a home of solidarity for dialogue and action. We resolutely clarify and fight misanthropes in companies and parliaments. With 90,000 participants every year, IG Metall is one of the largest educational providers in Germany. We want to train fighters for democracy and human rights in companies. Employees need operational and political tools to shape the transformation in a social, fair and democratic way.”
Background information on the 2024 annual press conference(Members and Finance)