Time for the Future What the Union Convention Is All About

In their motions, metalworkers continue to view IG Metall’s commitment to an ecologically sustainable, democratically shaped, and socially just transformation as the union’s core mission. One thing is clear to them: “Investments must be made not only in new technologies and infrastructure, but also in securing jobs during the transformation,” as stated in one of the motions. The motions include calls for an accelerated push for skills development and continuing education, as well as the demand that employees and members, together with works councils and IG Metall shop stewards, play a proactive role in the changes taking place within their workplaces and companies. At the union convention, metalworkers will discuss and decide how these issues should be addressed and implemented.

Naturally, job security is at the top of the agenda for metalworkers: From the union members’ perspective, this requires greater coverage by collective bargaining agreements, more continuing education, better protection against dismissal for older workers, and a government-backed training guarantee for young people. The union also aims to curb temporary agency work over the next four years, accept fixed-term contracts only as an exception, and end the gender pay gap: these are the key priorities outlined in the motions. If the delegates approve the relevant motions, these issues will be added to the to-do list for the next four years. Several motions aimed at strengthening the welfare state are also up for a vote. Issues that metalworkers would like to see changed in terms of social policy over the next four years include, for example, extending the duration of Unemployment Benefit I, setting the pension replacement rate at 53 percent, repealing the retirement age of 67, and restructuring the healthcare system into a universal health insurance program to which everyone contributes.

The union members also aim to strengthen collective bargaining agreements and co-determination over the next four years, as is clear from the motions. Only in this way can there continue to be good, healthy jobs in the future—with fair pay and work schedules that fit into people’s lives. That is why metalworkers intend to make it their mission over the next four years to recruit more members, actively involve them—as works council members, youth and disabled workers’ representatives, and shop stewards—and develop strategies for the future together with everyone. In addition, they want to lobby in Berlin for better laws that promote collective bargaining coverage and include more rights to co-determination. The goal is for metalworkers in the workplace to be involved in strategic planning—such as decisions on investments and staffing—from the very beginning—and not only after the employer has announced layoffs and closures.

The 2019 Union Congress marked the launch of the project “Thinking IG Metall from the Workplace Onward.” Now, at the 2023 Union Congress, a motion will be put forward to extend the project. The idea behind the project is that transformation does not take place on the drawing board, but in the workplaces. Over the past four years, partly through this project, IG Metall has increased its presence in workplaces, conducting a comprehensive assessment and identifying needs for change and development. The resulting conclusions strengthen IG Metall’s work.

Numerous motions are also coming from IG Metall Youth. They aim to secure greater autonomy and flexibility regarding working hours and location for all employee groups. The vision is: meaningful work, good pay, and work schedules that leave enough time for family, friends, hobbies, and volunteer work; a four-day workweek; and opportunities such as remote work, sabbaticals, and so-called “workation” options—that is, concepts that combine “work” and “vacation.”

The issue of equal opportunity is also a major concern for young people. This is because students at secondary schools (Hauptschulen) are disproportionately left empty-handed in the apprenticeship market. This has consequences: a growing group of the younger generation ends up on waiting lists, in low-paying jobs, or in precarious employment situations. The IG Metall Youth wants to change that. 

A new executive board will be elected to carry out the tasks for the next four years. In doing so, IG Metall aims to streamline its leadership. Instead of the current seven executive board members, there will be only five in the future. Jörg Hofmann, who has led IG Metall as First Chair for the past eight years, is not standing for re-election and is retiring. The candidates standing for election before the delegates on October 23 are: Christiane Benner, Jürgen Kerner, Nadine Boguslawski, Hans-Jürgen Urban, and Ralf Reinstädtler.