Südwestmetall is calling for cost reductions ahead of the collective bargaining round

Shortly before the start of the collective bargaining round in the metal and electrical industries, the Südwestmetall employers' association called for "significantly more realism" from IG Metall. «We have to reduce costs. There is no way around it,” said the chairman of Südwestmetall, Peter Sebastian Krause, according to the statement. Otherwise there is a risk of “intensified staff cuts”.

When asked, Krause simply suggested how costs could be reduced. The aim is to create “solution corridors” for cost reductions. According to Krause, the common goal must be to stop the trend of structures being relocated and jobs being cut.

What IG Metall demands

IG Metall Baden-Württemberg has demanded five percent more money for the approximately 900,000 employees in the metal and electrical industry in the southwest. In addition, they want to negotiate with employers' associations about securing jobs and locations and achieve profit sharing for employees in profitable companies. The new collective agreement should have a term of twelve months.

The first round of negotiations will take place on October 7th in Ludwigsburg. The collective wage agreements expire on October 31st. Then the so-called peace obligation ends, after which the union could call for warning strikes.