Northwest Steel Wage Negotiations: 'Final Attempt at Agreement' Launched - Steel Wage Talks Deadlock: IG Metall Threatens Strikes as Industry Struggles
The steel industry's wage negotiations in North Rhine-Westphalia have reached a stalemate. IG Metall, representing around 60,000 to 70,000 employees, has rejected the employers' offer, leading to a 'final reconciliation attempt' scheduled for Tuesday. The union is prepared to take industrial action if no agreement is reached.
The current impasse follows five hours of negotiations, during which employers proposed a 1.2 percent wage increase from January 2026. IG Metall, however, demanded a 2.0 percent increase and a shorter collective agreement period until the end of September 2026. Additionally, the union seeks a flat rate of 300 euros for October to December 2025, with a minimum of 150 euros and potential increases based on the company's economic situation.
The steel industry is grappling with a crisis, facing high energy prices, global overcapacities, cheap imports, and high US tariffs. Despite these challenges, IG Metall is determined to secure fair compensation for its members. The union has warned that it may resort to warning strikes if an agreement cannot be reached.
Meanwhile, negotiations for around 8,000 employees in the eastern German steel industry are ongoing, with no result from the third round of talks last week. The steel wage round for the Saarland is set to begin in mid-November.
As the steel industry faces economic headwinds, IG Metall is pushing for a wage increase that reflects the value of its members' work. With no agreement in sight, the union has signalled its readiness to take industrial action. The outcome of Tuesday's 'final reconciliation attempt' will be crucial in determining the next steps in the wage negotiations.
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