Frankfurt am Main – IG Metall is demanding significantly more money for the 3.9 million employees in the metal and electrical industries. With a view to persistently high price levels, the union’s board recommends 7 percent higher wages for twelve months. Training allowances are to be increased disproportionately by 170 euros. A social component is also intended to take pressure off lower pay groups in companies. After surveys of 318,000 employees and engaging discussions, the IG Metall board proposed this package of demands to the regional collective bargaining committees. The money negotiations in the fall will be accompanied by a debate on the issue of working hours.
More money is needed, especially for lower incomes and young people
The IG Metall board justifies the demand for significantly more money with the economic situation in the industry. Collective bargaining officer Nadine Boguslawski: “The companies have a comfortable backlog of orders, the employees have to work hard.” The order books are currently full for over a month longer than normal. Even if the inflation rate falls, the price base at the checkouts remains high. Boguslawski: “The one-off payments from employers from the last collective agreement were eaten up by inflation. The employees deserve permanent monthly compensation and recognition of their hard work.” The economy also needs stronger domestic demand to support it.
The IG Metall board would like the lower income groups in the companies to be given particular consideration in the collective bargaining results. With a social component, the wages there should be improved.
An “attractiveness turbo” for dual training is intended to cushion the increased cost of living, especially for trainees and dual students. Christiane Benner, First Chairwoman of IG Metall: “With this boost in attractiveness, companies are getting motivated and mobile young talent. And the trainees can concentrate on their training and don’t have to work part-time – like one in three trainees has to do at the moment to make ends meet.”
Realistic view of companies and employees
IG Metall boss Benner showed understanding for the volatile situation of individual companies. However, this should not obscure the solidity of the industry as a whole and the improved economic forecasts. “Our collective bargaining policy is characterized by reliability and responsibility.” With its demands, IG Metall is demonstrating a sense of proportion. “But not all employees in the industry should suffer from the situation of individual companies. What counts for us is the realities in the companies and respect for the employees.” In addition to a good collective bargaining policy, an active industrial policy is required in Germany for the future of the location and for securing employment: “We are doing what is possible. But industrial policy is the government’s job.”
Shorter working hours for social engagement
IG Metall is calling for the distribution of working hours to be another topic in the upcoming collective bargaining round. Given the personal strain on employees, employers should value their commitment more. One instrument for this could be further paid time off. Collective bargaining board member Boguslawski: “Expanding the existing election option to include democracy and voluntary work or improving the existing regulations would be a valuable contribution by companies to actively support social commitment.”
The IG Metall board decides on the final demand for the metal and electrical industry on July 9th after the regional tariff commissions (June 21st). Negotiations in the district tariff areas begin in mid-September. The collective wage agreement expires on September 30th. The peace obligation ends on October 28, 2024. Collective bargaining board member Boguslawski: “We are entering the 2024 collective bargaining round confidently and appropriately.”