IG Metall Strikes From Sunday 1 November, 3.7 Million Workers
Published
The IG Metall union is starting warning strikes across Germany's metal and electrical industry. The peace obligation of the current wage agreement ends at midnight on Saturday 31 October, and the first walkouts are planned for the night into Sunday 1 November. The sector employs about 3.7 million people at car makers, suppliers, machine builders and electronics firms.
The union is demanding 5 percent higher pay over 12 months, job guarantees and a profit share at companies that are doing well. Employers have offered a one off payment in July 2027 and a 1.3 percent pay rise from July 2028, with a contract running 26 months. In Lower Saxony the employers put the one off payment at 660 euros. IG Metall calls this a pay cut in real terms. Its chair Christiane Benner said the offer "provokes only incomprehension and anger" in the workplaces.
Sunday 1 November is a public holiday in five states, so the large actions in Baden-Württemberg begin on Monday 2 November. Walkouts are also planned in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, Lower Saxony and Bremen. According to the union, a large Bavarian car maker will be hit for the first time on Monday 2 November. Talks continue region by region; the next round for the coastal region is expected on Friday 6 November.
What this means for you: if you work at a metal or electrical company, your works council or the local IG Metall office will tell you whether and when your site is called out. Warning strikes are usually short, often a few hours or one shift. Taking part in a strike called by the union is legal. If you are unsure, ask your works council before you stop work. Customers of these companies may see short delays in the coming weeks.
Sources: Deutschlandfunk, tagesschau.de
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