Neuss (dpa/lnw) – According to IG Metall, the second round of negotiations in the wage conflict in the metal and electrical industry in North Rhine-Westphalia was ended by the union on Friday after just 34 minutes. The employers had not submitted an offer, explained IG Metall negotiator Knut Giesler. “That’s why it makes no sense to negotiate. You can’t negotiate about nothing,” said the IG Metall NRW district manager, according to a statement.
The employers’ chief negotiator, Arndt Kirchhoff, referred to “the drama and extent of the economic threat posed by the massive energy crisis”. “Against this background, an offer from an employer could not have done justice to the situation today,” said Kirchhoff, who is also President of the Association of the Metal and Electrical Industry in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Around 700,000 people are employed in the sector in NRW. The union is demanding eight percent more wages for a period of twelve months. The bargaining parties agreed on a third round of negotiations for October 28th. According to IG Metall, warning strikes are possible from October 29.
According to Giesler, “in the vast majority of companies” things are still going “very well”. In addition, many companies could pass on the higher costs. “The employees can’t do that. That’s why the eight percent is correct.” Giesler emphasized the determination of the employees and hinted at warning strikes: “So pressure is needed in front of the factory gate again. We are well prepared for that.”
Kirchhoff said that due to the high energy costs, expansion investments are currently only possible abroad. The current competitiveness problem should not be further fueled by a wage agreement that is too high. “Both sides could have no interest in industrial action in November,” Kirchhoff continued. Especially in these times, collective bargaining must be practiced and conflicts avoided.
