Handelsblatt reported that in the collective bargaining dispute in the North West German iron and steel industry, German steel workers union IG Metall wants to increase the pressure on employers by expanding warning strikes. After the third round of negotiations on Friday evening remained unsuccessful, the collective bargaining commission decided on warning strikes in 11 cities for Monday, including Bremen, Georgsmarienhütte, Salzgitter and Duisburg. With the warning strikes, the union wants to emphasize its demands before the fourth round of negotiations on Tuesday. IG Metall North-Rhine Westphalia’s Head & Chief Negotiator Mr Knut Giesler told media “The steel industry is making a lot of money right now. Employees want their fair share of that.”The employers submitted a new offer on Friday. It provides for a wage increase of 4.7% over a period of 21 months. IG Metall has demanded 8.2%for a term of 12 months. German Steel Employers' Association has asked IG Metall to go with reality-based solutions.According to IG Metall, around 16,000 employees in 50 companies have taken part in warning strikes since 1 June 2022.German Industriegewerkschaft Metall is the dominant metalworkers' union in Germany, making it the country's largest union as well as Europe's largest industrial union. IG Metall mainly represents employees at major steel makers, such as ThyssenKrupp, Salzgitter AG & ArcelorMittal. Strikes are rare in Germany, where companies and unions strive for consensus whenever possible.
Handelsblatt reported that in the collective bargaining dispute in the North West German iron and steel industry, German steel workers union IG Metall wants to increase the pressure on employers by expanding warning strikes. After the third round of negotiations on Friday evening remained unsuccessful, the collective bargaining commission decided on warning strikes in 11 cities for Monday, including Bremen, Georgsmarienhütte, Salzgitter and Duisburg. With the warning strikes, the union wants to emphasize its demands before the fourth round of negotiations on Tuesday. IG Metall North-Rhine Westphalia’s Head & Chief Negotiator Mr Knut Giesler told media “The steel industry is making a lot of money right now. Employees want their fair share of that.”The employers submitted a new offer on Friday. It provides for a wage increase of 4.7% over a period of 21 months. IG Metall has demanded 8.2%for a term of 12 months. German Steel Employers' Association has asked IG Metall to go with reality-based solutions.According to IG Metall, around 16,000 employees in 50 companies have taken part in warning strikes since 1 June 2022.German Industriegewerkschaft Metall is the dominant metalworkers' union in Germany, making it the country's largest union as well as Europe's largest industrial union. IG Metall mainly represents employees at major steel makers, such as ThyssenKrupp, Salzgitter AG & ArcelorMittal. Strikes are rare in Germany, where companies and unions strive for consensus whenever possible.
