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Seven to eight percent: Total metal president rejects Tariff demand

2022-06-20T16:05:33.414Z


The standpoints could not be more opposite before this year's metal bargaining round: From the point of view of the trade unionists, the industry is doing brilliantly. The employers, on the other hand, speak of existence.


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Mechanical engineering: Many companies have a concern for existence

Photo: Jens Büttner/ DPA

The metal employers have reacted with great incomprehension to the demands recommended by the IG Metall board.

"To talk about the situation in the metal and electrical industry is irresponsible," said Stefan Wolf, President of Gesamtmetall.

According to a current survey by the association, existential concerns are growing in the industry due to rising costs that cannot be fully passed on through prices.

Three-fourths of the companies therefore expect falling earnings, and one-fifth see their economic existence at risk.

The union board had previously recommended that the collective bargaining districts demand pay increases of between seven and eight percent over a period of twelve months in the negotiations with employers, which are expected to begin in September.

"The companies are doing well," said union boss Jörg Hofmann.

After the wage agreements of the past two years, which were shaped by the corona crisis, adjustments are necessary, said Hofmann.

The earnings situation in industry has developed significantly better than was foreseeable a year ago.

Despite all the fluctuations in the economic environment, the union assumes that earnings, the order situation and thus employment will continue to develop positively.

The required wage increase is a contribution to the stabilization of consumption.

This must be supplemented by further relief for consumers for rising energy and food prices by the state in the coming year.

With the demand, the union is by no means setting in motion a wage-price spiral, emphasized the union boss.

Rather, it is a signal "that we cannot compensate for the entire inflationary pressure that is weighing on households through collective bargaining policy." Crucial to IG Metall's success is that there is a permanent percentage increase in collective wages.

One-off payments, such as the energy bonus in the steel industry, could be added as an element.

The IG Metall board of directors wants to resolve the demand after discussions in the districts with a concrete number on July 11th.

Due to the uncertainty caused by the Ukraine war and the corona lockdowns in China, additional consultations are planned before the start of collective bargaining in order to adjust your demand if necessary in the event of unexpected developments - such as a stop in gas deliveries from Russia.

The agreement negotiated with employers in North Rhine-Westphalia last year provided for a corona bonus of 500 euros and an annual "transformation money".

This should be paid in February 2022 in the amount of 18.4 percent of a monthly salary.

It will increase to 27.6 percent from 2023 and can also be used to reduce working hours.

The collective agreement expires at the end of September.

The peace obligation ends on October 28.

mike/Reuters

Source: spiegel

All business articles on 2022-06-20

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