Trade Disputes Heat Up in Steel Industry
After the conclusion of the peace obligation, the first warning strikes sparked up in the North-West German steel industry wage dispute. Over 1600 employees from 15 companies joined forces in Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bremen, participating in various actions and warning strikes.
In Salzgitter, Lower Saxony, around 400 night-shift workers took part in a two-hour action, while Finnentrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, experienced around 40 employees leaving their posts at the same time. Approximately 60 union members gathered in Hagen, and locations such as Bottrop, Gelsenkirchen, Georgsmarienhütte, and Krefeld also witnessed warning strikes.
The procession in Duisburg marked the termination of the peace obligation with a torchlight march and a hand bell rally, attended by around 250 individuals. The march culminated at a notable sculpture in a landfill site.
IG Metall, the prominent union, is advocating for a 32-hour workweek with full wage compensation and a 8.5% wage increase spanning 12 months for employees in the North Rhine-Westphalia, Bremen, and Lower Saxony steel industry. The employers had initially offered a 3.1% wage increase for 15 months, but they rejected the six-hour workday demand as unfavorable due to financial concerns and organizational challenges.
As the third round of negotiations for December 11 approaches, further warning strikes will occur beforehand, including a strike in Duisburg on Monday. Boasting an extensive workforce of over 68,000 individuals, the steel industry has a significant impact on both employers and employees in the region.
Despite the employers' reservations, IG Metall remains determined in its pursuit of a fairer contract, highlighting the ongoing battle between labor unions, employers, and the broader North Rhine-Westphalia, Bremen, and Lower Saxony economy.
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Enrichment Data:
The ongoing wage dispute between IG Metall and employers in the automotive industry, mainly at Volkswagen (VW), is a broader context for the labor disputes in Germany. The key issues and demands are relevant, and the outcome of the automotive industry negotiations may influence the steel industry dispute.
Current Status: - Volkswagen (VW) Agreement: IG Metall and VW reached an agreement that includes significant cost-cutting measures, including a cut in real wages for VW employees of up to 20% and around 35,000 job losses. In addition, the modest 5% wage increase was waived until 2030, to be used for electric vehicle transformation. The deal also comprises reductions in bonus payments and partial holiday pay starting in 2027 for IG Metall members[1][3].
Key Demands: - Job Security: Although operational redundancies are prohibited until 2030, the plan for substantial job cuts remains, with over 35,000 jobs at risk[1][3]. - Wage Increases: The basic wage rate will not decrease immediately, but any increases are postponed until 2030. The 5% wage increase agreed upon in the metal collective bargaining round will not directly benefit workers until 2030 and will be used for electric vehicle transformation[1]. - Working Hours: An extension of working hours by one to two hours per week for those who began working at VW before 2004 affects approximately 40% of the permanent workforce[1]. - Bonus Payments: Bonus payments, typically amounting to €2,500 to €3,000 per year, will be reduced^^. This reduction will significantly impact workers' earnings[1].
The IG Metall leadership has been criticized for not managing the labor dispute effectively and for neglecting worker solidarity. Dissatisfaction within the workforce has risen as a result of the union's handling of the negotiations[1][3].
