Working hours and how employees can manage them with greater autonomy and self-determination—this will be the focus over the next four years. This was decided by the 485 delegates at the 23rd Regular Union Convention in Frankfurt. When it comes to working hours, things have gone off the rails in recent years. The delegates recognize that a new vision for working hours is necessary. To this end, IG Metall will launch a campaign.
Modernizing working hours
Working hours must be tailored to people’s needs. This means that hours worked must be tracked and compensated. Working hours must be compatible with good health, and flexibility must not come at the expense of employees. It must also be possible to balance work and life, and employment relationships must be secure. For young people in particular, the structure of working hours is a key issue. With its campaign on working time policy, IG Metall aims to help create more free time for young workers. In addition, young people need high-quality vocational training: clear, reliable conditions and a training stipend that provides a living wage are essential. Furthermore, the union convention resolved to call for a reform of the Vocational Training Act.
The world of work must not be divided into two halves: one where good jobs and worker participation are a given, and another where working conditions are poorly paid and insecure. IG Metall’s campaign against the misuse of service contracts is to be intensified. The delegates mandate IG Metall to conclude collective bargaining agreements in the industrial services sector that exceed the industry standard.
Collective Bargaining Agreements—The Key to Success
IG Metall views strengthening collective bargaining coverage overall as one of its central tasks. This is because collective bargaining agreements guarantee decent work and fair pay. To ensure this applies to all workers, a new standard employment relationship must be established. Fair and secure employment conditions, as well as a sufficient and equitable income, must become the norm.
Readjusting Retirement Security
Pension policy was one of the focal points of the 23rd Regular Union Congress. The delegates are calling for the pension system to be recalibrated and restructured. The crux of the matter is the pension replacement rate. If nothing is done, it will drop to 43 percent by 2030. Even those who have been insured for many years will thus find themselves close to the poverty line, which currently stands at 970 euros. The younger generation, in particular, could feel the painful effects of this development. IG Metall will not accept this. Anyone who has worked their entire life and paid social security contributions should have enough money in retirement to maintain their standard of living. That is why IG Metall is continuing its campaign “Good Work – Good Retirement.”
In the future, IG Metall will place even greater emphasis on member participation. This creates legitimacy and strengthens the elected bodies. IG Metall wants to increasingly invite employees to work together to achieve common goals. In this way, IG Metall is rising to the challenges of a modern working world.
