Union IG Metall pushing for 7% pay hike; intense wage negotiation imminent.
Things are looking better for the business world, with IG Metall heading into an internal vote ahead of the next salary negotiations. Employers have faced criticism lately due to suggestions for a no-increase round.
IG Metall plans to push for a 7% salary increase for around 3.9 million workers in the metal and electrical industry during the impending salary negotiations. The union also aims to boost training allowances by 170 Euro per month, as confirmed after a board meeting. Furthermore, they aim to put pressure on lower-wage groups within companies to improve the social component.
Tariff Representative Nadine Boguslawski commented, "Companies have a hefty buffer of orders, while employees are feeling the squeeze." The order books are over a month longer than usual. "One-time payments from employers due to the last salary agreement have done little to combat inflation."
Before making the demand, IG Metall had polled 318,000 industry employees. The proposal is currently under discussion in the regional tariff districts of the union. The final decision will be made by the IG Metall executive board on July 9.
The upcoming salary negotiations are shaping up to be a challenging task. Some employers have suggested a no-increase round, citing lower inflation and the 2022 salary agreement. Union chairwoman Benner called this proposal "insulting" and a "direct slap in the face of employees." In an interview with the "Süddeutsche Zeitung," she threatened potential strikes. Negotiations with tariff regions will begin no later than September 16, and with the peace obligation ending on October 28, strikes could start as early as October 29.
