2023 Collective Bargaining Round for Textile Services Nationwide warning strikes: Textile workers are applying pressure

Too little money, too long a term, no partial retirement: the employers’ new offer is unacceptable. Numerous workers in the textile services sector across the country are making this clear. Nearly 4,000 workers have already participated in protests andwarning strikesto stand up for their demands. “The workers deserve an offer that’s open to negotiation. With these warning strikes, they’re sending a clear message to the employers: We won’t be fobbed off. We won’t accept half-baked compromises,” says IG Metall negotiator Miriam Bürger.

At the second round of collective bargaining at the end of May in Heidenheim , the employers failed to present a noticeably better offer, thereby triggering the nationwide warning strikes in the industry. The continuation of the partial retirement program and the full alignment of wages in the east with those in the west are not part of the offer. Nor did they show any willingness to reach an agreement on the necessary wage increases.

People’s livelihoods are at stake

Despite decades of professional experience, many workers in the textile and service sectors earn little more than the statutory minimum wage. Many need a second job just to make ends meet, because otherwise they can no longer afford the gas to get to work. “With their offer, the employers are showing that they haven’t understood how urgent the situation is. Our collective bargaining demands aren’t about financing our next vacation. We’re not having a debate about luxuries here. This is about the livelihoods of the workers,” said Miriam Bürger.

IG Metall is demanding an 8 percent pay increase for workers in the textile and service sectors—but at least 300 euros—to provide particular relief to those with lower incomes. Thirty-three years after reunification, wages in the east should finally be brought in line with those in the west, and the partial retirement program should be continued and improved. The collective bargaining agreement on short-time work should be made permanent.

Nearly 4,000 Workers Participate in Warning Strikes and Protests

On Thursday, workers at MEWA-Textil-Service in Manching walked off the job for over four hours. 380 colleagues from the early and late shifts took part in the first warning strike in the company’s history and made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that they will fight for their demands. It is not only in Manching that metalworkers in the textile services sector are demanding a negotiable offer. Protests also took place at CWS Healthcare in Bad Oldesloe, Alsco in Cologne, Wulff Textil Service in Kiel, MEWA Textil-Service in Rodgau, CWS Workwear in Wilhelmshaven, and CWS Workwear, Hygiene, Business in Hamburg. This has significantly increased the pressure on employers: Nearly 4,000 workers have now participated in protests and warning strikes.

Metalworkers are again expected to gather outside the negotiation venue for the third round of talks on June 12 in Leipzig. “And if the employers continue to dig in their heels, we’ll keep up our fight. Together, we’ll apply pressure and get what we’re entitled to,” says Miriam Bürger.