In view of the persistently difficult situation in the German economy, IG Metall is calling for an “initiative for work and recovery”. The union is “strongly calling on employers to stop the de-industrialization of this country and to invest in the future,” said IG Metall chairwoman Christiane Benner on Monday. She expects them to “make a clear commitment against relocations, site closures and layoffs, and immediately.”
At the IG Metall annual press conference in Frankfurt am Main, Benner pointed out that employees in the metal and electrical industries had already given up billions of dollars in response to the crisis. In return, it was possible to secure tens of thousands of jobs and agree on investment commitments for German locations. “Now it’s the employers’ turn,” said the IG Metall boss. What is needed is “courage in change instead of increasing uncertainty”. The opportunities for increasing productivity and new business models are there.
The employees are frustrated when they are accused in the political debate of they are too lazy and too sicksaid Benner, referring to discussions about part-time or sick leave. Employees are under “undue pressure”. IG Metall is prepared to jointly analyze the causes of high levels of sickness at company level and develop countermeasures. “But putting employees under general suspicion is indecent,” said Benner.
In the union’s opinion, companies and politicians were distracting from the actual problems with accusations of laziness and demands for unpaid waiting days. In addition Advance by the CDU business wingTo abolish the right to work part-time, Benner said it was an “absurd debate” that she was “appalled” by. It doesn’t help the economy “if the economic union’s wrong-way drivers bring part-time workers into disrepute.”
One thing prevails in the companies “really difficult atmosphere” and one high willingness to conflictsaid Benner. If the industrial clear-cutting does not stop, IG Metall would actually resort to conflict. “But if there’s one thing we can do as IG Metall, it’s fight,” she said confidently.
According to their idea, politicians, employers and trade unions should start a joint initiative “at eye level” with agreements at state level that combines job security with competitiveness, climate protection and prosperity. It is important to secure locations in the crisis caused by external factors such as the global trade war.
Benner called on the federal government to ensure competitive energy prices. The previous plans of Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) were not sufficient. The relief would only be in the single-digit percentage range. This would make the price of electricity uncompetitive for energy-intensive industries.
In addition, the federal government must ensure that the 500 billion euros from the debt-financed “special fund for infrastructure and climate neutrality” flow into the domestic value chains. In addition, a local share of added value must become mandatory for public contracts, with preference given to companies that are bound by collective bargaining agreements. In general, the following should apply: “If you want to sell here in Europe, you also have to produce here in Europe,” says Benner.
Membership numbers are falling to historic lows
That also applies to the German car manufacturers. It cannot be the case, as is the case with automobiles, but also with railway technology or wind power, to benefit from government support, but still want to buy as cheaply as possible and without requirements, wherever in the world. There should also only be funding for non-European companies “if value creation and jobs are secured or created in Germany and Europe”.
Benner reported that more than 140,000 jobs were lost in the industries represented by IG Metall last year. This was also reflected in the union’s membership, which fell by 3.9 percent compared to the previous year despite around 93,000 new members. This means that almost 2.02 million people are now organized in Germany’s largest individual union – a historic low. Around 182,000 members are under 27 years of age, and the proportion of women is 18.3 percent.
IG Metall collected 648 million euros in membership fees last year – a new record income thanks to increased employee earnings. “Our strike fund is well filled,” said collective bargaining officer and chief cashier Nadine Boguslawski. IG Metall is entering this year’s collective bargaining round for the 3.8 million employees in the metal and electrical industry “decisively, confidently and with great participation from the employees”. She rejected a zero round or blanket interventions in wages, warned Boguslawski: “If we cannot come to an agreement with the employers, we will go on strike.”