German union calls for 24-hour strike in auto, steel sectors

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  Germany's powerful industrial union IG Metall announced a 24-hour strike on Thursday, ramping up ​pressure in a pay dispute affecting 3.7 ‌million workers at companies including Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Tata Steel.

• The stoppage, for which IG Metall did not immediately ​give a date, is a response to ​what the union said was an obstructive stance ⁠by employers following three rounds of negotiations ​without progress.
• Germany's largest union is demanding a 5% wage ​increase, measures to safeguard jobs and production sites, and profit-sharing mechanisms in sectors performing strongly.
• Employers have proposed a one-off ​payment of 1% in July 2027 and a ​1.3% wage increase from July 2028. The proposal would also ‌allow ⁠financially troubled companies to withhold the one-off payment.
• The union has dismissed the employers' offer as effectively a pay cut in real terms.
• Regional employers' associations ​on Wednesday condemned ​a call ⁠by IG Metall regional branches for a 24-hour stoppage, saying longer strikes ​would only cause further damage to the ​crisis-hit ⁠sector.
• Last week, IG Metall proposed a temporary arrangement that would allow employees in companies under economic ⁠pressure to ​make concessions, provided that the ​companies make binding commitments regarding investment and jobs.

Courtesy: www.reuters.com