Press Release Metal and Electrical Industry: Employers Must Take Responsibility!

Frankfurt am Main – As collective bargaining begins in the metal and electrical industry, IG Metall President Christiane Benner emphasizes the importance of higher wages for Germany as a business location: “With a wage increase, we want to significantly strengthen our colleagues’ purchasing power. This also boosts the economy,” said the union’s president. The industry employs 3.9 million workers, which is nearly one in ten workers in Germany. Collective bargaining negotiations begin on September 11.

“Companies are making good money off their employees, in some cases with top returns. It is neither the employees nor their wages that are responsible for the difficult situation at individual companies. On the contrary, employees and their wages are a source of opportunity for the entire country,” said Benner. “Economists agree: The economy now needs rising purchasing power.  And now that one-time payments to offset inflation and high prices have been eliminated, workers urgently need rising real wages.”

With regard to discussions about business locations, Benner emphasized the special responsibility of the collective bargaining partners: “This round of collective bargaining can give the country a boost of stability. Collective bargaining policy can achieve a great deal. But it also requires a consistent industrial policy and relief on the energy cost front.”

IG Metall is demanding a 7 percent increase in monthly wages and an additional 170 euros for apprentices. Nadine Boguslawski, IG Metall’s executive board member responsible for collective bargaining, warns against distorting the debate: “Labor costs are only a minor factor in our industry. However, workers’ purchasing power is crucial for strengthening our economy.” She noted that the 7 percent demand was arrived at with a sense of proportion and is precisely tailored to the situation facing companies. Boguslawski called on employers to take responsibility now and not to waste time in the negotiations.

Editorial Notes:

• Collective bargaining negotiations for the 3.9 million employees in the metal and electrical industries are conducted decentralized by the IG Metall regional chapters.
• An overview of the initial negotiations and media contacts can be found in this schedule for the 2024 collective bargaining round.
• The no-strike clause ends on October 28, 2024. Warning strikes are possible starting at 12:01 a.m. on October 29.