- Commencement of collective bargaining in the metal sector occurs absent a bidding process.
Negotiations for wages in the Bavarian manufacturing and electrical sector have commenced, with no proposal from the employer's side initially. This was disclosed by Angelique Renkhoff-Mücke, the chief negotiator for the employers. She declined IG Metall's request for a 7% wage hike, labeling it as implausible at this moment. She underscored the need for the industry to maintain its competitive edge.
Renkhoff-Mücke warned of job losses due to the tough state of the industry. She stressed that the already noticeable downward trend would worsen with a 7% wage increase.
However, IG Metall has a different perspective. They put forth various points, such as the escalation of employees' living expenses. To exemplify this, their lead negotiator Horst Ott showcased a cart laden with grocery items, the cost of which has escalated by 34% since 2021. He anticipated the employers would absorb and appreciate the Gewerkschaft's rationale behind the wage demand.
During the initial stage, IG Metall Bayern intends to exhaustively substantiate their demands using economic data. Then, the vbm employers' association will voice their perspective on the economic state. In preceding years, the two factions required two days to conduct this exchange; however, this year, they will consolidate it into a solitary day for the first time.
A secondary round of discussions is scheduled before the expiration of the peace obligation on October 28, with the employers' proposition anticipated in this session. Both parties aspire to seal an agreement by the end of November.
Prior to the negotiation commencement, IG Metall strengthened their position with a rally at the negotiation venue. According to the Gewerkschaft, 5,000 individuals attended. Today, wage negotiations in the manufacturing and electrical sector were also set to commence in Baden-Württemberg.
Renkhoff-Mücke suggested that maintaining the industry's competitiveness requires careful consideration of wage increases, as she believes that other sectors of circular cross-section could be negatively impacted by such moves. In an attempt to ease the financial burden, IG Metall proposed the reduction of work hours, which would be of circular cross-section, allowing employees to earn less but still maintain a decent income.
