IG Metall decides to hold all-day strikes for the first time in eight years

For the first time in eight years, IG Metall decides on all-day warning strikes As of: November 12, 2026 • 10:48 a.m

All-day warning strikes are now possible in the collective bargaining dispute in the metal and electrical industries. After three rounds of negotiations, IG Metall accuses the employers of blocking the deal. It is not yet known exactly where the strike will take place.

In the collective bargaining dispute in the German metal and electrical industry, all-day warning strikes are imminent in hundreds of companies. This was decided by the board of IG Metall. This is intended to increase the pressure in the collective bargaining negotiations, which have stalled after three rounds.

On Wednesday, all IG Metall districts applied for 24-hour strikes - the last stage before a strike vote and an indefinite industrial action. It was not initially announced which companies would be on strike and when. The union board wants to determine a three-digit number of companies that should go on strike. Before that, however, the members in the respective companies must vote for the strike by a simple majority.

Employers in the regions have already criticized the announced strikes as “completely disproportionate”. They would cause great economic damage. Longer strikes would only do more damage to the ailing industry, they explained.

Before the third round of negotiations in Bavaria, IG Metall is increasing the pressure with warning strikes. br

In the collective bargaining dispute, IG Metall is demanding five percent more money for the approximately 3.7 million employees within a year. In addition, jobs and locations should be secured.

The employers had offered a revocable one-off payment and 1.3 percent more for a much longer term. After three rounds of negotiations, no solution has emerged. According to the union, around 464,000 employees took part in hourly warning strikes in the first wave of warning strikes. A fourth round of negotiations has not yet been agreed.

“The employers have touched concrete and have crossed the line with additional demands in the negotiations in Düsseldorf. It amounts to a tough conflict,” explained union leader Christiane Benner. She also said: "Anyone who wants to lower collective bargaining standards, come around the corner with a negative offer, restrict co-determination rights and shift decisions from the collective agreements to the individual companies is attacking the foundations of collective bargaining partnership."

IG Metall has only used the instrument of all-day warning strikes once - in 2018. At that time, around 500,000 people in 250 companies took part.

This topic in the program: RBB24 Inforadio | News | 11/12/2026 | 06:38 + 08:37