After three rounds of negotiations, the union and employers failed to come to an agreement. On Wednesday, the regional collective bargaining commissions of IG Metall met, and the executive board unanimously approved the 24-hour warning strikes Thursday morning.

“Despite outstanding warning strikes, the employers have not budged an inch towards the employees. They are offering real wage losses instead of seeking solutions,” said Nadine Boguslawski, chief collective bargaining officer of IG Metall. 

IG Metall said it is demanding a 5% wage increase, job and production site safeguarding measures, profit-sharing in strong sectors and social support for low-income employees and apprentices. 

“With these 24-hour warning strikes, the employees are exercising a constitutionally guaranteed right, upheld by the highest courts. They are demanding fair pay for everyone — whether in companies facing a crisis or those experiencing a boom,” Boguslawski continued.

Employers offer a one-time differentiable payment, depending on the company’s economic situation, and a 1.3% increase in monthly salary in July 2028. They aim to make the differentiation permanent and negotiate the variability of collectively agreed standards with the works council instead of the union, among other requests, IG Metall said.

To reach a solution, the union proposed temporary collective bargaining agreements. The employers did not respond.

The situation is ongoing. 

For a full list of demands and offers from both the union and employers, click here.