2023 TEXTILE AND APPAREL WEST COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ROUND Record turnout for warning strikes

Ahead of the fourth round of collective bargaining this Friday, workers in the West German textile and apparel industry are ramping up pressure on employers with massive warning strikes: To date, more than 20,000 workers have participated in warning strikes, rallies, and protests—more than ever before in collective bargaining disputes in this industry over the past 25 years.

Whether through shortened shifts combined with actions at the factory gates or cross-company protests—the wave of warning strikes in the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations in the West German textile and apparel industry continues to roll. Hundreds of metalworkers are expected to gather for a rally outside the negotiation venue ahead of the next round of talks on March 31 in Billerbeck.

At the third round of negotiations in mid-March, IG Metall and the employers parted ways without reaching an agreement. The employers have so far made only minimal concessions in their offer and thus remain far from the demanded 8 percent over 12 months. The continuation of the partial retirement program and the social component of 200 euros—designed to ensure that lower-income workers benefit disproportionately—are still not part of the offer.
 

 More than 20,000 workers have already participated in the warning strikes during the Textiles and Apparel West collective bargaining round. (Photo: Bernd Röttgers)

Participation in warning strikes is overwhelming

Participation in the warning strikes has been particularly high during this round of collective bargaining. On Wednesday, the main focus of the actions and rallies was in Elmshorn (Schleswig-Holstein) and Giengen near Heidenheim (Baden-Württemberg). There, employees from Carl Stahl, Paul Hartmann, Margarete Steiff, Vereinigte Filzfabrik Ziegler, and Zwisstek, among others, gathered for a joint protest rally. Their aim was to reinforce their demands and put pressure on employers.

IG Metall is demanding an 8 percent wage and salary increase for 12 months—or at least a monthly base amount of 200 euros—for the approximately 100,000 workers in the West German textile and apparel industry. In addition, the union is calling for the continuation of collective bargaining provisions for partial retirement with improved terms. The employers’ association, on the other hand, is offering only a “inflation adjustment bonus” along with a permanent pay increase of 4 percent effective October 1, 2023, and 2.5 percent effective October 1, 2024, for a term of 26 months. The employers do not wish to continue the existing partial retirement arrangement.

Miriam Bürger, chief negotiator for IG Metall: “The record turnout for the warning strikes sends a clear signal to employers and is a strong call for them to finally make a move. Our colleagues are highly motivated and firmly determined not to settle for a meager offer. We call on the employers to finally take this signal seriously and present a significantly improved offer on Friday. Our colleagues urgently need a substantial pay increase that takes effect across the pay scale—and they deserve it.”