Arbeitszeit: „Eine echte Frechheit“: Gewerkschaften und SPD kontern Angriff auf 35-Stunden-Woche

The union leadership has strongly responded to the calls from business leaders and managers to abolish the 35-hour workweek. Nadine Boguslawski, Tariff Deputy Head of IG Metall, argued that those opposing the shorter workweek simply aim to cut wages rather than address the challenges faced by businesses. She emphasized that a race to the bottom in wages is not a sustainable strategy.

The union believes the current economic downturn is not caused by insufficient work hours, but by low consumer purchasing power, lack of innovation, and companies' reluctance to stay competitive. IG Metall's chief in Baden-Württemberg, Barbara Resch, warned that abolishing the 35-hour workweek would be a step backward to the industrial era of the past. She stressed that Germany's strength lies in high productivity and good wage conditions.

Mercedes supervisory board member Martin Brudermüller had requested the end of the 35-hour workweek in an interview with the Handelsblatt, offering to keep salaries the same. Nikolas Stihl, the entrepreneur behind Stihl's power tools, commented that during good times, Germany could afford the 35-hour week, but now it is no longer possible.

He urged the social partners to acknowledge their responsibilities and discuss the issue. The debate over the 35-hour workweek is particularly relevant now as the union negotiations for the metal and electrical industries are set to take place in the fall, and the situation in many branches is likely to be dire.