Industrie: Erste Warnstreiks der Industrie: Das ist neben größeren Demonstrationen geplant

The German metal and electrical industries have announced the first warning strikes, complementing larger demonstrations planned. In two tariff negotiations thus far, IG Metall and employers have failed to reach an agreement on a new tariff for approximately 3.7 million workers. IG Metall promptly rejected an offer significantly below the inflation threshold and has initiated warning strikes since Sunday.

These strikes target the core of Germany's industry, particularly the automotive, machinery, electrical, and metal processing sectors. A warning strike is a temporary work stoppage during tariff negotiations, which the union can declare without a prior member vote, as long as no peace duty remains from the previous tariff and attainable goals are pursued.

The strikes aim to increase pressure on employers and unify the ranks. Past experience shows IG Metall effectively gains new members during warning strikes. The scale and duration of these strikes remain uncertain, but nationwide actions are expected. Following initial midnight actions and smaller absences on Sunday, larger demonstrations are planned for the coming week.

According to Gesamtmetall, around 290,000 people participated in warning strikes at nearly 1,600 companies across 11 different days during the comparatively conflict-free 2024 tariff negotiation. The union reported over 600,000 participants. For the organization of warning strikes, the districts of IG Metall are responsible, which may compete with each other if a negotiation compromise with employers emerges first.

In the logic of the metal and electrical tariff, a "pilot district" negotiates a resolution that will eventually be adopted by others. Warning strikes are time-limited, while a strike is indefinite, aimed at enforcing a tariff goal. The union's constitution requires a prior secret ballot for a strike, with at least 75% of the relevant members voting in favor during an undercover vote.

Non-union employees, except for executives, can participate in a warning strike. Leasing workers, falling under different tariffs, cannot be used as strikebreakers. Non-union employees can also join. Union employees, except for executives, can join warning strikes. Leasing workers cannot be used as strikebreakers. While all employees can join a warning strike, excluding executives, leasing workers face more complex rules.

Large temporary work agencies have pledged not to deploy their workers as strikebreakers. However, temporary agencies may be ordered to other workplaces, but this rarely happens due to the short duration of the actions. Blocking operations, denying employees or customers access, or occupying parts of the factory are illegal. Employees are not required to inform their supervisors or attendance systems of their absence, as their work obligation is suspended during the warning strike.

This results in employers not being able to punish strike participants. A warning strike can be declared for 24 hours, for which members receive strike pay calculated based on their union dues and membership duration. For example, a member who has been a union member for more than five years can receive 700 euros per week in strike pay for an income of 5,000 euros per month and a monthly contribution of 50 euros. Those who have been in the union for only three months would receive 600 euros per week.