Demonstration for FAIR TRANSITION Nationwide Day of Action: 50,000 metalworkers send a wake-up call to politicians and employers

In Stuttgart, Eisenach, Koblenz, Bremen, Duisburg, Schweinfurt, and of course in Berlin, right in front of the parliament: Across the country, metalworkers demonstrated today for a fair, socio-ecological transformation of industry—on streets, in public squares, and in front of factory gates.

With this day of action, IG Metall is weighing in on the ongoing coalition negotiations—and applying pressure to advance workers’ concerns. Nationwide, over 50,000 members participated. In many locations, lawmakers and government representatives from the federal, state, and local levels attended the rallies.

“Our wake-up call to politicians and employers is sorely needed,” said Jörg Hofmann, President of IG Metall. “Vague programs and lip service won’t spark change or progress.”

The future of industry and its workers must not be derailed by the debt brake, Hofmann warned. “The path for workers into the working world of tomorrow must lead over secure bridges. We demand clear commitments on employment and investment.”

Politicians Must Deliver

On the main stage in Berlin’s government district, Jörg Hofmann engaged in a discussion with politicians from the SPD, CDU/CSU, FDP, Greens, and The Left—including top negotiators from the upcoming “traffic light” coalition such as Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) and Greens Federal Executive Director Michael Kellner.

Also on the podium at the Reichstag were workers from industrial companies in Berlin, Brandenburg, and Saxony, IG Metall district director Birgit Dietze, and Jan Otto, managing director of IG Metall Berlin.

Addressing the incoming federal government, Jörg Hofmann said: “For us, it’s about a new beginning and prospects for everyone. We want a ‘FairWandel’—a social, ecological, and democratic transformation. Our goal is a modern, sustainable economy coupled with strong social cohesion in our society.”

The Future Is at Stake

For German industry, the future is at stake in the coming years—and with it, hundreds of thousands of jobs. Over eight million people are employed in the manufacturing sector. Entire industries are facing upheaval.

Automotive manufacturing and steel, as well as many companies in mechanical engineering and other sectors, are already in the midst of change. Digitalization and the climate crisis demand swift action.

Against this backdrop, IG Metall calls on the future federal government to:

• Security and good prospects for workers—no layoffs during the transition
• Investments in the jobs of today and tomorrow—at today’s locations
• Skills training instead of relocating abroad
• Public investment in the future totaling 500 billion euros
• Fair financing of public investments

More worker participation

Christiane Benner, Second Chair of IG Metall, said at the rally at Hamburg’s Fish Market: “Workers are taking to the streets because their future is at stake.” Climate change and digitalization can only be shaped in collaboration with workers.

“We need to really step on the gas when it comes to training and continuing education. Only then will we have enough skilled workers to develop and produce green technologies,” said Benner. “We need significantly more worker participation. After all, it is within the companies that strategic decisions about future products, locations, and jobs are made.”

Steel Industry at a Crossroads

“The future of jobs in the steel industry will be decided in the coming months,” said Jürgen Kerner, executive board member and chief treasurer of IG Metall, outside the headquarters of Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe in Duisburg.

“Without the necessary, binding commitments from Berlin and Brussels, the transition cannot succeed. That is why our message today is clear: Germany must remain an industrial nation—and thus a steel-producing nation.”

Europe-wide Protest

The IG Metall day of action was part of a two-week “European Action for a Just Transition” organized by the umbrella organization of European industrial unions (IndustriAll Europe).

Under the slogan “Just Transition,” member organizations across the continent are participating.