PRESS RELEASE Wood and Plastics Industry: Employers Block Progress, IG Metall Launches Warning Strikes

Frankfurt am Main – Starting January 7, the IG Metall union is calling on workers in the wood and plastics processing industry to participate in warning strikes. The industry employs a total of 166,000 workers nationwide.

Nadine Boguslawski, head of collective bargaining, described the behavior of the employers’ associations in the initial collective bargaining negotiations as frustrating and unproductive: “Workers need security and prospects instead of stagnation. They are suffering from ever-decreasing purchasing power and increasing workloads, while companies are suffering from the exodus of skilled workers. And what are the employers offering? Nothing.”

IG Metall is demanding a 5 percent wage increase, with a disproportionately higher increase for apprentices. The employers’ associations, on the other hand, do not want any permanent increase in the pay scale for the entire year of 2026. Boguslawski: “Anyone who wants to freeze wages is putting skilled workers and purchasing power at risk. We’re demanding a 5 percent pay increase so that people can afford to live their lives and companies remain attractive.” Employers are ignoring the situation and strain on their employees, as well as the expected slight economic growth in 2026. Boguslawski: “Growth needs warning strikes now.”

Workers in the wood, furniture, and plastics industries work for companies including automotive suppliers, as well as manufacturers of recreational vehicles, kitchens, and pianos. 38,000 workers benefit directly from IG Metall’s regional collective bargaining agreement. In addition, there are numerous companies indirectly affected by the collective bargaining agreement that align with the union’s collective bargaining agreements, whether or not they have their own in-house collective bargaining agreements.

Note for editorial offices:
Regional press contacts are available through the IG Metall district offices: igmetall.de/presse-bezirke