2026 Metal and Electrical Industry Wage Negotiations Survey: Employees Expect Higher Wages and Job Security

267,000 employees in 2,285 companies—the results

Employees in the metal and electrical industries expect their employers to address rising prices and the future of their companies during the collective bargaining negotiations this fall. 

Respondents perceive the economic situation of their companies as varying widely: Half describe the situation at their company as very good (14.5%) or good (31.7%). One-third (32.2%) rate their own employer as “so-so.” One in five perceives the situation as bad (16.9%) or very bad (4.7%). 

This positive economic outlook is driven by companies in the aerospace, defense, shipbuilding, and energy sectors. In contrast, employees in the automotive industry and the service sector take a more critical view of their companies’ performance. 

Top Concerns: Money and Job Security 

Respondents’ greatest concerns are rising costs of living (68.9%) and healthcare (58.5%), followed by retirement security (58.1%). More than half of employees are concerned about the security of their own jobs (56.3%) and the future of their companies (56.7%).  

“Workers have a keen sense of the most pressing issues in the country: good real wages, sustainable jobs, and social security,” says Christiane Benner, President of IG Metall. “This is a clear mandate for employers, policymakers, and IG Metall alike. We want secure and sustainable jobs through value creation right here at home. In addition to sound collective bargaining policies, this requires committed industrial, social, and corporate policies. That’s why we’re taking to the streets with our days of action on September 21 and 26.” 

With an eye on companies’ bottom lines and profits, the majority of employees expect not only job security but also a moderate (47.8%) to substantial pay raise (35.0%). Given the overall solid economic situation, making sacrifices is not an option: Only one in six considers only a small (13.1%) or no pay raise (4.1%) to be appropriate.

“Employees are not experiencing a uniform crisis, but rather a situation with significant economic disparities,” explains IG Metall collective bargaining board member Nadine Boguslawski. “At the same time, their expectations regarding pay, job security, and social protection are high . We are entering this round of collective bargaining with confidence because we will take everything into account: from job security in companies facing crises to a fair share of excess profits for workers.” 

 Based on the survey results, IG Metall is now launching the debate on wage demands in the regional bargaining districts. On September 22, the bargaining committees in each region will decide on their demands. The union’s executive board plans to adopt a concrete, nationwide wage demand on September 23. 

More than 3.7 million workers are employed in the metal and electrical industries nationwide.