12.09.2024 | Weimar – In the first collective bargaining negotiations with employers in the metal and electrical industry in Thuringia, IG Metall justified its demand for 7 percent more money and the demand to increase training allowances by 170 euros for 12 months. Around 100 employees from association-affiliated companies made it clear in front of the negotiating room in Weimar that they would fight for this demand and, if necessary, go into industrial action.
Jörg Köhlinger, chief negotiator and district manager of IG Metall Mitte: “Energy and living costs are still high and the one-off payments from the last collective agreement have been used up. That is why employees need more money. This is also necessary from an economic perspective, because all experts agree that private consumption is a decisive factor in economic development.”
IG Metall assesses the economic situation realistically and a doomsday scenario, as currently painted by employers, is not appropriate, says Köhlinger. “The situation is challenging, but it is not due to labor costs. In the metal and electrical industry, these only make up an average of 16 percent of total costs. The metal workers are certainly not sawing off the branch they are sitting on! That should be clear even to the officials on the employers’ side.”
In June, IG Metall Mitte decided to demand 7 percent more money for 12 months and a disproportionate increase in training allowances by 170 euros per year of training for 12 months. The main aim of this is to make training more attractive in an industry affected by a shortage of skilled workers. In addition, IG Metall wants to push through a social component for employees in the lower pay groups in its talks with employers and talk about more time sovereignty for employees.
IG Metall Mitte is negotiating collective agreements for around 20,000 employees in the metal and electrical industries in Thuringia. The second negotiation will take place on October 21 in Erfurt.
