Press Release No. 06/2014 Detlef Wetzel: “A prime example of successful internal flexibility”

Frankfurt am Main – Ten years ago, the collective bargaining partners in the metal and electrical industry agreed to the “Pforzheim Agreement.” It provides companies facing particular challenges with the option to deviate from the collective bargaining agreement. “The Pforzheim collective bargaining agreement is a prime example of successful internal flexibility. Two things are crucial: The workforce will not accept any restrictions without concrete prospects for growth and investment. And union members are involved in the decision-making process. Deviations are only permitted with their explicit consent,” said Detlef Wetzel, President of IG Metall, on Tuesday in Frankfurt. “This collective bargaining agreement is also a response to increasingly divergent economic developments,” said Wetzel. The agreement has therefore strengthened the autonomy of the bargaining partners.

The Pforzheim Agreement establishes clearly defined criteria for deviations from the applicable standard. Employee representatives must receive comprehensive information on the company’s economic situation, and such deviations may only be temporary. “The goal is always a comprehensive package developed with employee participation, ultimately leading to the company’s recovery and alignment with the general collective bargaining standard,” said Wetzel.