Christiane Benner, the chairwoman of the IG Metall union, has announced that she is ruling out a wage increase during the upcoming collective bargaining round scheduled for the autumn. Speaking to the “Handelsblatt”, she stated that many employees in the union’s operations have already made significant concessions regarding both wages and working hours, while the cost of living continues to rise. The negotiations, which involve 3.8 million workers in the metal and electrical industries, are set to begin in October.
While employers have been expressing concern over the dire state of the industry and the loss of 270,000 jobs since 2018, Benner emphasized that areas of considerable growth still exist, particularly in sectors like renewable energy, armaments, and the aircraft industry. She noted that the downturn is not universal, suggesting that greater differentiation might be necessary during the negotiations.
The IG Metall intends to formally state its wage demands only after the summer break, allowing the union to respond accurately to the current economic situation. The union chief vowed to approach the matter responsibly, adding that a moderate and tailored solution had been found for the year 2024. Despite the current contentious atmosphere, she expressed belief in the power of their collective bargaining partnership, acknowledging that “times are rough.”
