Press Release No. 40/2015 IG Metall Calls for Innovative Work Schedule Arrangements

Frankfurt am Main – IG Metall sees the figures published yesterday by the Federal Statistical Office as confirmation of its position. “There are significant disparities in the distribution of working hours. Too many employees work significantly longer than they want to,” said Jörg Hofmann, Second Chairman of IG Metall, on Thursday in Frankfurt. Men are particularly affected by this, while many part-time employees—mostly women—would prefer to increase their working hours. “This reflects the desire of nearly all working people for a better work-life balance—and working hours are the key factor in achieving that.”

IG Metall has been engaged in intensive discussions with works councils and employees for some time now on how working time arrangements can be better and more flexibly adapted to the needs of different life stages. There are good examples in the workplace that show how employees’ preferences—for example, regarding childcare or caregiving—can be accommodated. By securing part-time training for employees in the metal and electrical industries, a key element of collective bargaining policy for professional development was established.

“This makes it clear: Working hours are our medium-term focus in collective bargaining. At the union convention in October, we will discuss a package of actions and demands regarding working time arrangements. We have already scheduled talks with our bargaining partner on working hours. Figures from the Federal Statistical Office suggest that we need a new compromise on working hours, and we are ready for it. Not least, we call on policymakers to support this,” said Hofmann.