Frankfurt am Main – In the year of the Bundestag election, IG Metall calls up employers and the future federal government to secure industrial workplaces with public and private investments. “Our resistance to de -industrialization will be loud. Our commitment to new and sustainable jobs will be determined, ”said Christiane Benner, first chairman of IG Metall, at the union’s annual press conference.
IG Metall now expects a job offensive from companies and politicians. “For every job lost, a new one must be created. Everyone must now do their part to maintain added value in the country and at the same time to establish new jobs and industries,” said Benner, referring to future technologies such as semiconductors, battery recycling and renewable energies.
Local content strategy for resilience, climate protection and employment
Jürgen Kerner, second chairman of IG Metall, called for more industrial added value in Europe: “There must be a mandatory share of European components for all industrial products that are marketed in Europe. We are calling for a European local content strategy: If you see Europe as a market, you must also be responsible for employment in Europe. For example, if Chinese or American car manufacturers want to sell their cars in Europe, then the obligation to manufacture with European components is necessary. In this way we reduce dependencies and strengths resilience, climate protection and, above all, employment. The new federal government has to become active in Brussels for such a local content strategy. “
IG Metall also expects a massive investment program from the next federal government and companies. “We have to defend our technological leadership and also rebuild it, open up new growth markets and thus secure prosperity and good work,” demanded Kerner. He called on employers to take more responsibility: “We are partners when it comes to restructuring the industry, but we are determined opponents when it comes to downsizing.”
Collective bargaining board member and chief cashier Nadine Boguslawski warned employers to adhere to collective bargaining agreements: “Collective agreements are active crisis prevention and crisis management. Anyone who attacks the seal of approval of the collective agreement only provokes our resistance.” The high participation in the warning strike in 2024 is a sign of trust and a mandate: for a job offensive through a self-confident collective bargaining policy as a safety net for the employees. “Our strike fund is well filled and we can strike at any time. We stop escaping responsibility,” said Boguslawski.
Stronger debate for social security
IG Metall has an increase in legal disputes with employers. Social board member Hans-Jürgen Urban: “In 2024 we have completed around 30 percent more cases before working, social and administrative courts than in the previous year. The cause certainly lies in an aggressive reduction and discharge policy. ”However, the good news is that the union members could rely on strong legal protection, especially in stormy times. Around 104 million euros were disputed for the members.
Instead of dismantling it, Urban called for the reconstruction and development of the welfare state. “The welfare state cannot remain as it is. But our restructuring also means building a social infrastructure and not dismantling it,” said Urban. Social security for everyone is not ballast for value creation and progress, but rather an indispensable prerequisite for trust in politics and a stable democracy. If you want skilled workers, you have to train and qualify them or provide daycare centers for your children.
More participation for better working and future conditions
Education board member Ralf Reinstädtler referred to an increasing number of participants in trade union seminars for works councils and trustees as well as further training mentors in around 200 companies: “Employees must perceive their rights of co-determination and help shape working and future conditions in the companies at eye level.”
For this purpose, Reinstädtler demanded substantial progress in co -determination from a new federal government: for example, a right for works councils to have a say in strategic decisions, an enforceable right to compensation for interests when converting companies and an extended right of initiative from the works council for qualifications. Those who initiate works council elections earn special protection.
Reinstädtler expects to ensure the continued existence of the regional transformation networks funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection beyond 2025. Here, companies, employees, unions, further training providers and science are networked in order to maintain and create value creation and jobs on site. “Change only succeeds with concrete strategies on site when there is employment and new, good work is promoted,” said Reinstädtler. Regional solutions are important for change in order to be able to shape the transfer of work into work.
Moderate membership development
At the turn of the year 2024/2025, IG Metall counted 2.1 million members and is therefore still the strongest union in Germany. With an increase of 4.5 percent in 2024, the share of members in the employee area rose to a quarter. The IG Metall had an increase of 5.1 percent among the trainees. The bottom line of the job cuts in the metal and electrical industry as well as demographic development ensured a moderate decline of 1.9 percent.