work - Semiconductor industry contract: Exploratory drilling agreed
For the tens of thousands of employees in Saxony's semiconductor industry, a collective agreement is to be created. The IG Metall union and the Association of the Saxon Metal and Electrical Industry (VSME) have agreed to initiate exploratory talks, as the union announced. "This is a significant step towards collective bargaining standards in this future-oriented industry," said Dirk Schulze, district leader of IG Metall Berlin-Brandenburg-Saxony.
He was pleased with the VSME's willingness to enter preparations for a sectoral collective agreement with IG Metall. "The common will is there – that's a good sign for the employees in the semiconductor factories." The union's goal, according to the statement, is to achieve good working conditions and secure a share of the economic success of the growing industry for the employees.
According to the European Union's Economy Ministry, Saxony is the largest location for microelectronics in Europe. Every third chip produced in the EU reportedly comes from Saxony. In the region, there are around 80,000 employees at approximately 3,650 companies, including Infineon and Globalfoundries. By 2030, more than 20,000 new jobs are expected to be created, for example, by the Taiwanese semiconductor company TSMC, which plans to produce in the state capital from 2027.
- IG Metall, being a prominent trade union in the metal and electrical industry, has shown interest in improving the working conditions and securing a share of the economic success in Saxony's thriving semiconductor industry.
- Amidst the positive climate, discussions about potential tariffs or rate agreements in the electronics sector have not been brought up, indicating a focus on collaboration rather than competition.
- The initiation of exploratory talks between IG Metall and VSME in Dresden, a major hub for electronics companies like Infineon and Globalfoundries, is highly significant for the 80,000 employees in the semiconductor industry.
- As the semiconductor industry continues to evolve, with projects like TSMC's planned production in Dresden by 2027, the importance of unions like IG Metall in promoting fair work conditions and ensuring workers' benefits cannot be underestimated.
- Despite the growing competition and opportunities in the global electronics market, IG Metall's presence and efforts to create a collective agreement in the Saxony's semiconductor industry underscores the union's commitment to workforce protection in the metal and Electronics sector.
