During ongoing negotiations regarding working hours at the car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz, management is reportedly vying for a 38-hour work week across Germany. According to the newspaper “Handelsblatt”, speaking from sources within the corporation, this proposal has been presented to the employee side. If adopted, this would require employees to work three hours more per week without pay, as the current standard is 35 hours.
Separate from the broader collective bargaining negotiations currently taking place in the metal and electrical industries, Mercedes management is actively discussing changes to working hours with works councils at the company. The discussions also encompass whether the 38-hour week would be implemented temporarily or made permanent. Concurrently, management is reportedly increasing pressure on the works councils. Sources close to the talks indicated that if it is not possible to lower labor costs in Germany, the company would consider further relocation of production overseas.
A Mercedes spokesperson confirmed in response to an inquiry that discussions are taking place with the employee representatives to find “mutually viable solutions that strengthen competitiveness.” The company has cited structural costs in Germany, including labor costs, as not being competitive compared to other international markets.
