Collective bargaining in the metal and electrical industries is entering its seventh and likely decisive round. Negotiations are taking place again today in Düsseldorf. Last week, employers held out the prospect of a pay increase as early as this year for the first time. Until then, they had insisted on a zero increase for 2021. There were also signs of convergence on securing jobs and the future.
From Düsseldorf, IG Metall North Rhine-Westphalia launched a large online rally last Wednesday. An online warning strike? It’s possible. IG Metall and workers have already proven this several times during this round of collective bargaining.
Using the online format “Warnstreik 24,” workers on the early and late shifts walked off the job to once again ramp up the pressure on employers 24 hours before the sixth round of negotiations. Shortly before that, employers had presented an offer for the first time that showed: Employers are no longer insisting on a zero increase for 2021. “Our warning strikes have made a difference,” said Knut Giesler, chief negotiator and regional director in North Rhine-Westphalia, during the online rally, praising the commitment of those who participated in the warning strikes.
Colorful warning strikes nationwide
In all other IG Metall districts as well, the warning strikes built up intense pressure on employers. In Bavaria, IG Metall intensified its warning strikes once again at the end of the fourth week of strikes. In doing so, IG Metall put particular pressure on BMW and auto suppliers.
On Friday, employees on the late shifts at all BMW plants in Bavaria—in Munich, Dingolfing, Landshut, Regensburg, and Wackersdorf—ended their shifts two hours early. Employees at numerous auto suppliers and contract logistics companies also went on warning strikes, including at several Bosch and ZF locations, as well as at Schaeffler, Mann Hummel, and Magna.
Warning strike at BMW in Munich. (Photo: IG Metall)
IG Metall Mitte: Automotive Sector and Suppliers Are the Focus of Warning Strikes
In response to employers’ continued intransigence, IG Metall in the Mitte district also escalated its warning strike actions. Car convoys, rallies, and digital warning strike actions—in Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Thuringia, thousands of workers walked off the job on short notice last week.
One example was a warning strike rally in Kassel. On Thursday afternoon, workers from Kassel-area companies drove in three convoys to Messeplatz after finishing work early. On Thursday, a total of 23 companies in the Mitte district, with over 2,000 employees, took part in the actions—automobile manufacturers and suppliers were particularly affected.
Warning strike at Daimler in Mettingen. (Photo: IG Metall)
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