Streit um Arbeitszeit: Unternehmer Stihl: 35-Stunden-Woche nicht mehr zeitgemäß

Entrepreneur Nikolas Stihl is urging swift talks between the union representatives on extending working hours without wage compensation in Germany's metal and electrical industries. The Chairman of the Supervisory Board at forestry and gardening equipment manufacturer Stihl made this statement to Deutsche Presse-Agentur in Waiblingen.

"During the good times, Germany could afford the 35-hour week. But now, we can't. And the stakeholders should be aware of their responsibility and talk about the issue." He particularly looks at IG Metall, as they ultimately make the concessions. "But if we are already on the path of 500,000 lost industrial jobs, then everyone should do everything to stop the bleeding."

Stihl continued that extending working hours without wage compensation would quickly lower labor costs. Amid the economic crisis, Mercedes' CEO Martin Brudermüller reignited an old principle debate in an interview with "Handelsblatt". He proposed returning to a 40-hour week for the same pay. In Germany's auto industry, the 35-hour week is standard for unionized companies, including Mercedes-Benz.

Legally, it's not compulsory. IG Metall had called for protests nationwide against Mercedes-Benz's move. Talks between the trade unions in the metal and electrical industries start in the fall. "The 35-hour week was agreed upon with fierce birth pains once. And if we want to turn back the clock, the pain of loss will be very great," he said.

"That's already clear. That's why I also don't believe that we will see a simple trade union roundtable here." Stihl is setting his sights on pragmatic solutions regarding the issue. "The closer the IG Metall representatives get to the working population, the more they will understand." He has concerns about the central office in Frankfurt. "There, the positions seem very entrenched and strongly influenced by ideological convictions."