The union and employers do not agree: warning strikes are threatened in the steel industry from next week.
In the wage dispute in the north-west German iron and steel industry, 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 eleven cities for Monday, including Bremen, Georgsmarienhütte, Salzgitter and Duisburg. This was announced by IG Metall on Saturday in Düsseldorf. With the warning strikes, the union wants to emphasize its demands before the fourth round of negotiations on Tuesday.
Offer falls far short of demand
The employers submitted a new offer on Friday. It provides for a wage increase of 4.7 percent over a period of 21 months. The union demands 8.2 percent for a term of 12 months. After the third round on Friday, the Steel Employers’ Association 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 June 1st.
“4.7 percent is not enough for employees in this situation with high profits, full order books and sharply rising prices,” said IG Metall NRW district manager and negotiator Knut Giesler, according to a statement. The steel workers are ready to noticeably expand the industrial action.
The tariff area of the north-west German steel industry primarily includes North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Bremen. According to IG Metall, 68,000 people are employed in the industry there. In the East German steel industry, with around 8,000 employees, the third round is scheduled for Monday. There have also been warning strikes here.
