PRESS RELEASE Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Wood and Plastics Industry: Warning strikes turned the pay freeze into a non-issue

Frankfurt am Main/Laupheim – Workers in the wood and plastics industry are getting a pay raise. After two months of negotiations and committed warning strikes, IG Metall and employers in Baden-Württemberg have reached an agreement—the first nationwide outcome in this round of collective bargaining.

IG Metall’s collective bargaining director, Nadine Boguslawski, says: “Through determined warning strikes, workers have dashed employers’ hopes for a zero wage increase in 2026. This balanced collective bargaining agreement reflects the situation of both the industry and its workers. Economic recovery requires sustained wage increases. This strengthens workers’ purchasing power. Common sense—both at the company and macroeconomic levels—has prevailed.” Nationwide, 7,500 workers took action to pressure the negotiating parties into making progress.

Specifically, the bargaining partners agreed that monthly wages will increase in two stages by a total of 4.2 percent. In addition, employees will receive a one-time payment of 300 euros in April 2026, which companies facing financial difficulties may defer if justified.

The sector comprises 166,000 employees nationwide in the wood, furniture, and plastics industries—ranging from automotive suppliers and manufacturers of kitchen units and RVs to piano makers. 38,000 employees benefit directly from IG Metall’s regional collective bargaining agreements. 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.

Negotiations in the other collective bargaining regions will resume on January 20.

Note to editorial offices: Please also refer to the press release from IG Metall Baden-Württemberg 

Further information and press photos of Nadine Boguslawski