German Metal Pay Talks Stall as IG Metall Weighs Stronger Strikes

Talks between IG Metall and employers stalled on Monday in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, with no new agreement in Germany’s metal industry pay dispute.

The negotiations are part of a nationwide round covering 3.7 million workers.

A key issue is whether companies under financial pressure can temporarily move below agreed employment standards.

IG Metall has proposed that workers make contributions in return for firm company promises on investment and jobs.

The union is seeking a 5% pay rise over 12 months from November, while employers have offered a one-off payment in July 2027 and a 1.3% increase from July 2028.

More than 413,000 workers took part in over 2,800 brief strike actions last week, and employers say further escalation is not needed given the weak economy.

IG Metall leaders will consider intensifying strikes by Wednesday; the next step could be 24-hour warning strikes.