Steel industry in a "difficult situation" - wage talks started

IG Metall wants inflation compensation

In the run-up to the talks, IG Metall had emphasized the "extremely difficult situation" in the steel industry. The union therefore entered the negotiations without any specific wage demands. However, it emphasized that inflation must be compensated for and employment secured. According to Giesler after the talks, the unspecified demand was a great leap of faith on the part of the employees. However, the expectation was also that they would not end up with less money in their wallets.

The steel employers' association had rejected the demand for wage increases. "Even if it must be acknowledged that the union is obviously aware of the dramatic situation in the German steel industry, the demand for a pay rise exceeds the possibilities of our industry in the current economic situation," it said.