Frankfurt am Main – 6.5 percent more money in one year: With this demand, IG Metall is starting the collective bargaining round in the West German textile and clothing industry. In addition, employees with a monthly income of less than 3,000 euros should receive disproportionate relief with at least 200 euros more. The IG Metall board is pushing for this with a resolution on Tuesday.
The union is also insisting on a bonus for IG Metall members for its commitment to collective bargaining. IG Metall negotiator Miriam Bürger emphasized the urgency of proper wage increases: “Our demand is affordable, fair and urgent. The employees are worse off than the companies and have no financial cushion. We are calling for a significant increase in income, especially for employees in lower pay groups.”
Employee survey: Stress and strain are rampant
In a survey conducted by IG Metall among 3,500 employees, 69 percent addressed compensating for their increased living costs as urgent. According to 67 percent, the economic situation of their companies is solid to good; 4 percent see the operational situation as “very good”. 88 percent of employees complain about increasing stress and illness due to a labor shortage. Two out of three respondents (60%) are considering changing jobs.
When the collective agreement was concluded in 2023, IG Metall achieved 8.1 percent higher monthly wages in two stages. Negotiator Bürger: “The money has been eaten up by the price increases and the persistently high price base. Both our colleagues and the economy now need purchasing power to be strengthened. This also benefits companies.”
In addition to higher salaries, IG Metall is calling for the regulations on partial retirement in companies to be continued and expanded. Citizen: “The stress and the average age of the employees are high. The industry therefore needs more attractive working conditions to combat the shortage of skilled workers and more exit options in old age.”
The demand applies to the 100,000 employees in the West German textile and clothing industry. 51,000 employees benefit directly from a collective agreement. The industry includes traditional textile manufacturers, automotive suppliers, hygiene/medical products and technical textile manufacturers.
The first collective bargaining will take place on January 30, 2025 in Frankfurt. The peace obligation ends at the end of February. Warning strikes are possible from March 1st.