Collective bargaining conflict | Metalhead warning strikes started

The crane manufacturer Liebherr in Rostock started the warning strike in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Photo: Jens Büttner/dpa Frankfurt am Main.  The first round of warning strikes in the current collective bargaining dispute has begun in the German metal and electrical industry. This concerns the salaries of around 3.7 million employees in Germany's largest industrial sector. 

IG Metall wants to expand the protests to the entire country from Monday. This should increase the pressure in collective bargaining. Important industries such as car manufacturing, mechanical engineering, electronics and metal production are affected by the temporary strikes. 

The union has demanded 5 percent more money over a period of twelve months as well as securing jobs and locations. In the second round of negotiations, the employers submitted an offer that provided for a one-off payment next year and a step increase of 1.3 percent in July 2028. The reason for the offer below inflation was the difficult economic situation and the high cost burden for industry in Germany. 

The union leader Christiane Benner had announced “strong warning strikes” because the “so-called offer” had only caused “incomprehension and anger” in the companies. It's about securing purchasing power and a future for everyone at the location.  dpa/nd

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