Tarifrunde für 3,7 Millionen: „Verzicht bringt nichts“ - IG Metall will Reallöhne sichern

The upcoming tariff negotiations for the German metal and electrical industries aim to secure real wages. The IG Metall union is seeking to protect minimum real wages, based on a nationwide employee survey indicating 47.8% support for moderate wage increases. 35% of 267,000 respondents advocated for substantial increases. IG Metall president Christiane Benner declared, "No concessions will help," attributing responsibility to companies and politics to retain industrial jobs and prevent deindustrialization.

They advocate for an anti-dumping strategy and securing added value through Local Content requirements. The union states that job threats come from unfair competition, not excessive labor costs. If companies are in trouble, the union remains open to negotiations and offers solutions like investments, product commitments, and job security.

Despite a bleak public perception, survey respondents' self-assessment of their company's situation varied widely. Industries such as aerospace, armaments, shipbuilding, and energy reported good or very good conditions, while the automotive sector and service providers faced concerns. A recent worker survey showed that only 19% of M&E companies view their economic situation as good, with one in four reporting losses.

The union urges all parties to focus on cost reduction and preserving the site. They warn against attacking individual companies like Mercedes-Benz, questioning hard-won labor achievements not subject to collective bargaining. Working 40 hours instead of 35 without wage adjustments would equate to a 14% wage cut. Tariff negotiations for Germany's metal and electrical industries cover about 3.7 million employees across sectors like automotive, machinery, metalworking, electrical engineering, and vehicle manufacturing.

Volkswagen AG, facing difficulties, has its own separate tariff agreement set to expire at year-end. The IG Metall leadership plans to decide on extensive feedback with regional tariff commissions on September 23, with preliminary negotiations with employer associations beginning October 7. Previous agreements expire on October 31, immediately allowing for early warning strikes due to the abandonment of a peace obligation in this round.