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Steel industry: call for all-day warning strikes

Steel industry: call for all-day warning strikes

,   and  ASMedia
2 min read
Steel industry: call for all-day warning strikes
Steel industry: call for all-day warning strikes

Steel Industry Wage Dispute: Intense Call for Round-the-Clock Strikes

Just one day prior to the 5th round of negotiations in the steel industry's wage dispute, there have been additional warning strikes reported in the north-west region of Germany. The union, IG Metall, issued a call for 24-hour work stoppages in Bochum, Bremen, and Mülheim, among other locations. A spokesperson for IG Metall at a Thyssenkrupp site in Bochum acknowledged the situation, stating, "Everything is at a standstill here." Over 300 employees gathered at another Thyssenkrupp site in Bochum, expressing their frustration.

The core demands from the union include a 8.5% wage increase over a twelve-month period and a 32-hour work week with compensated full pay. Employers have countered with a one-time payment of 1,000 euros in January 2024 and an increase of 3.5% beginning in July 2024, spanning a duration of 19 months.

The negotiations are set to continue in Düsseldorf on Friday afternoon. The peace obligation concluded at the end of November, and since then, numerous warning strikes have taken place.

Approximately 68,000 individuals are employed within the steel and iron industry in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bremen, and Lower Saxony.

  • The ongoing wage dispute in the steel industry has potential implications for the Lower Saxony region, as warning strikes are being considered away from the spotlight.
  • In response to the wage dispute, the steel industries in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bremen, and Lower Saxony must brace themselves for potential disruptions due to escalating warning strikes.
  • In a move to support the wage dispute, IG Metall has expanded its call for warning strikes to Mülheim.
  • ThyssenKrupp in Mülheim, in the midst of the steel industry wage dispute, has managed to keep operations running, although with heightened tension owing to the looming warning strikes.
  • Intelligence gathered by IG Metall indicates a series of warning strikes in Bremen, stemming from the steel industry wage dispute.
  • As the wage dispute drags on, employers in Bremen and North Rhine-Westphalia are carefully considering the potential impact of escalating tariffs on their operations.
  • The metalworkers' union in Bochum is actively involved in the wage dispute in the steel industry, pushing for a 32-hour work week with full pay compensation, among other demands.

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  • The US will reapply 25% tariffs on steel imports from all countries, reversing a decision that previously exempted several nations. The imposition of these tariffs is based on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, citing concerns about global overcapacity and unfair trade practices.[1][4]
  • The European Union and UK have expressed strong opposition to the US decision, warning of retaliatory measures to protect their economic interests.[4]
  • The steel industry's tariff dispute is likely to impact Germany significantly, as the country faces labor disputes and industrial strife.[2]
  • The dispute could result in a redistribution of steel exports from the US to European markets, potentially worsening the situation for the EU steel sector.[4]
  • The escalating issue could potentially lead to a broader trade conflict, spilling over into various sectors that are reliant on steel components.[4]
  • Labor unions in Germany are gearing up for an uncertain year, with the possibility of strikes and disputes arising from company challenges, such as job cuts and facility closures.[2]

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