Workers in Germany's metal and electrical industry are currently staging warning strikes, primarily driven by the union IG Metall's demand for a 7% wage increase within a 12-month period. Employers, however, have countered with an offer of only 3.6% spread over 27 months, prompting dissatisfaction among the workforce. Union leaders argue that increased wages are essential to bolster purchasing power and enhance economic stability.
In northern regions, around 1,850 workers from 17 coastal companies participated in protests. The union's call for significant wage rises comes in the face of claims from employers about weak production levels and a lack of orders. Both parties are seeking a fair resolution that provides long-term planning security.
As the peace obligation lapsed, strikes in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) commenced, with over 300 employees from various companies gathering to express their frustrations. With 700,000 workers in NRW alone, the impact of these strikes is substantial. Notably, Volkswagen's plans for plant closures and job cuts have intensified the calls for higher wages, leading to further unrest in the industry.
IG Metall's chair, Christiane Benner, has criticized VW's cost-cutting measures, urging a shift towards investment in electric mobility and battery research. This situation reflects the ongoing struggle between labor demands for fair compensation and the economic pressures faced by employers, highlighting the complexities in reaching a satisfactory agreement.
