The IG Metall union has announced potential warning strikes in Lower Saxony and Bremen’s metal and electrical industry starting November 1, following unresolved wage negotiations.

The IG Metall union has declared that warning strikes in the metal and electrical industry in Lower Saxony and Bremen are likely to begin on November 1. This announcement follows the conclusion of the second round of wage negotiations in Hanover without reaching an agreement. The union is demanding higher wages for tens of thousands of workers in the sector, citing increased living costs and economic disparities within the industry.

Employers have presented a coordinated offer across five tariff districts, including Lower Saxony, proposing a 1.3% wage increase effective July 2028 and a one-time payment of approximately €660 gross in July 2024. However, this payment could be suspended for companies facing financial difficulties. The offer also includes a proposed contract duration until December 31, 2028. Volker Schmidt, CEO of NiedersachsenMetall, emphasized the need for a tariff policy that addresses the industry’s declining competitiveness, noting a 15% drop in local production since 2018 compared to global growth.

Thorsten Gröger, IG Metall’s district leader for Lower Saxony, criticized the offer as insufficient, describing it as a ‘hard minus round’ that fails to address inflation and undermines workers’ contributions. The union is demanding a 5% wage increase over a 12-month period. Separate negotiations are underway for Volkswagen employees, who operate under a distinct company-specific agreement, with talks scheduled to begin on November 24. The union has also rejected similar offers in other northern regions, including Bremen, Hamburg, and Schleswig-Holstein, signaling an intent to escalate pressure on employers.