Latest News from the Metal Industry Collective Bargaining Rounds

2026 Metal and Electrical Industry Wage Negotiations Over 400,000 on warning strike – IG Metall proposes a solution

Warning strikes in the metal and electrical industries are underway, with more than 400,000 workers already participating. IG Metall is ramping up pressure on employers, who are offering only a 1.3 percent pay increase starting in July 2028. IG Metall has now presented a proposed solution that secures the future and protects jobs.

6 November 2026

DGB Good Work Index Many workers are exposed to high levels of physical strain

Physical strain is a defining feature of the work of many industrial workers. This is shown by a new analysis. The figures also show that employees exposed to multiple sources of work-related strain are more likely to work even when they are sick. There is an urgent need for more preventive measures in the workplace.

4 November 2026

2026 Metal and Electrical Industry Collective Bargaining Round How IG Metall Secures Jobs

Collective bargaining negotiations for the metal and electrical industries in 2026 are underway. In addition to higher wages, the talks also focus on job security: Do we need to expand our collective bargaining agreements to address this? Or do we already have sufficient provisions in place to safeguard employment? Here’s what IG Metall has already established in this regard.

21 October 2026

Because You Matter IG Metall Talk: More money despite the crisis?!

IG Metall is demanding a 5 percent pay increase in the metal and electrical industries: Is this justified in these economically challenging times? Or should restraint be exercised to protect jobs? We discuss why now, of all times, is the right time for a confident round of collective bargaining.

6 October 2026

2026 Metal and Electrical Industry Collective Bargaining Round We want a 5 percent pay increase, job security, and profit sharing

IG Metall has finalized its demands for collective bargaining in the metal and electrical industries: a 5 percent pay increase. In addition, IG Metall wants to discuss job and plant security, as well as a profit-sharing scheme under the collective bargaining agreement and a social component.

1 October 2026

FAQ: T-ZUG and Reduced Full-Time Work FAQ: How to Get T-ZUG Days Off and Reduced Full-Time Work

Do you need more time for yourself? If you have children, are providing care, or work shifts, you can choose up to 8 additional days off per year in the metal and electrical industry. In addition, all employees can reduce their workweek to 28 hours. We explain the T-ZUG option and the reduced full-time schedule.

14 September 2026

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

IG Metall surveyed 267,000 employees at 2,285 companies in the metal and electrical industries. The situation varies widely. Nearly 50 percent of those surveyed rate the situation at their company as good. They expect job security—but also higher pay.

10 September 2026

T-ZUG in the Metal and Electrical Industry T-ZUG and T-Geld are now available

With their July paycheck, employees in the metal and electrical industries will receive their Collective Bargaining Supplement (T-ZUG A) in the amount of 27.5 percent of their monthly pay—as well as their Transformation Allowance (T-Geld) in the amount of 18.4 percent of their monthly pay.

22 July 2026

2026 Metal and Electrical Collective Bargaining Round Collective bargaining committees decide to terminate the wage agreements

Collective bargaining negotiations in the metal and electrical industry have begun. The bargaining committees of IG Metall have convened to discuss the situation and initial demands. The situation is extremely varied: Many companies are in crisis, while others are making good profits.

25 June 2026

Metal and Electrical Industry Now 3.1 percent more pay in the metal and electrical industries

Starting with the April paycheck, monthly wages under collective bargaining agreements in the metal and electrical industry will increase by 3.1 percent. IG Metall secured this increase in the collective bargaining agreement reached at the end of 2024. Along with the wage increase, special payments will also rise: vacation pay, Christmas bonus, T-ZUG, and T-Geld.

21 April 2026

Application for reduced full-time hours and days off Choose your work hours now—take advantage of T-ZUG

In the metal and electrical industries, IG Metall has secured options for employees to have more time: reduced full-time work—down to 28 hours per week—as well as the T-ZUG option for eight days off for childcare, caregiving, and shift work. Here’s how you can apply for your extra time.

14 September 2026

Alignment of the East with the West 35-hour workweek in the East: now also at MTU Ludwigsfelde

Thirty-five years after reunification, the East is still at a disadvantage. In the East German metal industry, the workweek has so far been 38 hours instead of the 35 hours in the West. But the process of aligning the East with the West is moving forward: IG Metall is implementing the 35-hour workweek in more and more companies. Now this includes MTU Ludwigsfelde as well.

2 July 2025

2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Metal and Electrical Industries Negotiation outcome: Higher pay, 140 euros more for apprentices, more days off

A one-time payment of 600 euros. An additional 140 euros per month for apprentices starting in January 2025. A 2 percent pay increase starting in April 2025, followed by a further 3.1 percent increase starting in April 2026. The T-ZUG B will rise to 26.5 percent in 2026. And there will be significantly more T-ZUG days off—finally including part-time employees.

2 December 2024

2024 Metal and Electrical Industry Collective Bargaining Round Warning Strikes: 620,000 at Factory Gates

Since last Tuesday, more than 620,000 workers have been putting pressure on employers through warning strikes and protests. On Monday, ahead of the decisive collective bargaining negotiations for the metal and electrical industries in Hamburg, more than 100,000 people once again gathered at factory gates and on the streets.

12 November 2024

2024 Collective Bargaining Round for the Metal and Electrical Industries Why we’re demanding a 7 percent pay increase

Collective bargaining negotiations in the metal and electrical industry have been underway since September 11. IG Metall is demanding a 7 percent pay increase for employees—as well as an additional 170 euros per month for apprentices. We explain why—and how IG Metall arrived at this demand.

24 October 2024

2024 Metal and Electrical Industry Collective Bargaining Round Metal sector bargaining committees demand 7 percent

A 7 percent pay increase and a raise in apprenticeship wages to 170 euros: The regional bargaining committees approved these demands today. IG Metall will enter collective bargaining negotiations in the metal and electrical industries this fall with these demands.

21 June 2024

2024 Metal and Electrical Industry Collective Bargaining Round “We want more money because we need it”

Persistently high prices are putting a strain on workers in the metal and electrical industries. That is why more money to boost their purchasing power is their top priority. This is shown by a survey conducted by IG Metall regarding the metal industry wage negotiations, which begin in September. Those feeling the strain the most are apprentices and dual-track students.

12 June 2024

2024 Metal and Electrical Industry Collective Bargaining Round Metal sector bargaining committees debate demands

Collective bargaining negotiations for the metal and electrical industries will begin in September. The bargaining committees have begun discussing the demands. Above all, employees expect higher wages from their employers.

7 June 2024

2024 Metal and Electrical Industry Collective Bargaining Round Online Survey: You Tell Us What’s Going On!

This fall’s collective bargaining round in the metal and electrical industries is about higher wages and good jobs in times of transformation. And it’s about your opinion! That’s why we’re launching an online survey in over 3,200 companies. More information in various languages is available here.

22 April 2024

Collective Bargaining Agreement at Airbus Airbus: Job Security and Flexibility

Temporary work and fixed-term contracts will be limited, apprentices will be guaranteed permanent employment, and members in temporary positions will receive equal pay sooner—these are the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement reached by IG Metall and Airbus for the next six years.

17 April 2024

2022 Metal and Electrical Industry Collective Bargaining Round FAQ: Questions and Answers on the 2022 Metal Industry Collective Bargaining Agreement

How much more money will I now receive as a result of the new collective bargaining agreement in the metal and electrical industry? When will the 5.2% and 3.3% raises take effect? Will I also receive the inflation adjustment bonus? When and how much? We answer the most pressing questions in our FAQ.

1 December 2022

2022 Metal and Electrical Industry Collective Bargaining Round Negotiation Outcome: Wage Increase in Two Stages Plus 3,000 Euros

More pay in the metal and electrical industry: a 5.2 percent increase starting in June 2023, followed by an additional 3.3 percent starting in May 2024. In addition, there will be a 1,500-euro inflation adjustment bonus by February 2023 and another 1,500 euros by February 2024. More than 900,000 workers applied pressure through warning strikes to secure these gains.

25 November 2022

VW 2022 Collective Bargaining Round Agreement on the in-house collective bargaining agreement at Volkswagen

8.5 percent in two steps, plus a total of 3,000 euros in inflation adjustment—Volkswagen is aligning its collective bargaining agreement for the new in-house collective bargaining agreement with the metal and electrical industries. And there’s a little something extra on top of that.

23 November 2022

2022 Volkswagen Collective Bargaining Round Second round of collective bargaining at VW: still nothing

VW managers are once again coming to the negotiating table without an offer—and they even want to cut back on apprentices. IG Metall is demanding an 8 percent pay raise, as well as more days off, tuition assistance for students, and more partial retirement options. 4,000 VW employees gathered at the VW Arena in Wolfsburg to press for these demands.

9 November 2022