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German Metalworkers Strike

A major labor dispute in the German metal and electrical industry involves strikes and difficult negotiations between the IG Metall union and employers.

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German

Germany

Germany Labour MarketNegotiationsLabor DisputeStrikesWage Increase

Ig MetallVolkswagenNiedersachsenmetall

Thorsten Gröger

What is the employers' counter-offer to the union's demands?: The IG Metall union is demanding a 7% wage increase and a 170 euro bonus for apprentices, while employers offered a 1.7% raise in July 2025 and 1.9% in July 2026.
What is the significance of the upcoming negotiations in Hamburg?: Negotiations between the union and employers aim to reach a collective bargaining agreement in Hamburg which would also apply to other regions, such as the coast and Bavaria, impacting the entire industry.
What is the main demand of the IG Metall union in the ongoing wage negotiations?: The ongoing strike in the German metal and electrical industry involves over 30,000 workers in Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, with further strikes planned in Hannover, Salzgitter, and Hildesheim.
Which Volkswagen plant has been affected by the strike, and why are other VW plants not involved?: The Volkswagen plant in Osnabrück was affected by the strike, but the main VW plants are not included because they have a separate company agreement.
What is the current status of the negotiations, and what measures is the union taking to exert pressure?: The situation is tense, with the union increasing pressure through strikes. A resolution on Monday in Hamburg will set a precedent for other regions, and the lack of compromise from employers is a point of contention.

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