Business · Economy · 7 hrs ago
IG Metall seeks 5% pay rise for northwestern German steel workers
IG Metall is seeking a 5% pay rise for steel workers in northwestern Germany, covering about 60,000 employees.
The region includes companies in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Bremen and Hesse, including Thyssenkrupp Steel and Salzgitter.
The current steel pay agreement expires at the end of this year; it included three months with no increase, followed by a 1.75% rise.
The union says orders are improving and workers deserve a fair share of early signs of recovery, despite the sector’s difficult conditions.
Employers have categorically rejected the demand, saying high energy and wage costs already put German steelmakers at a disadvantage.
The two sides will need to resolve the pay dispute in negotiations, while the industry continues to face strong competition from Asia and high costs.
IG Metall is seeking a 5% pay rise for workers in northwestern Germany’s steel industry.
The union’s bargaining commission approved the demand, which covers about 60,000 employees.
IG Metall says positive order trends point to early signs of an economic recovery and workers should share in it.
The steel employers’ association categorically rejects the demand, citing high costs and weak price competitiveness.
The current steel agreement expires at the end of 2026.
- Who
- IG Metall is seeking a pay rise for about 60,000 workers in northwestern Germany’s steel industry.
- What
- The union is demanding a 5% increase in pay.
- When
- The demand was reported on November 2, 2026. The current agreement expires at the end of 2026.
- Where
- The northwestern German steel industry, covering companies in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Bremen and Hesse.
- Why
- IG Metall points to positive order trends, workers’ burdens and high living costs. Employers say a raise would worsen companies’ cost disadvantage.
IG Metall
Steel employers’ association
Pay rise
IG Metall
The union seeks a 5% increase, saying workers should share in signs of economic recovery.
Steel employers’ association
The association categorically rejects the demand, saying higher pay would worsen the industry’s cost disadvantage.
Industry outlook
IG Metall
IG Metall says order intake is developing positively and points to early signs of recovery.
Steel employers’ association
Employers say the sector faces a structural crisis and weak price competitiveness.
The current steel agreement included three months with no increase, followed by a 1.75% pay rise.
IG Metall announced its 5% pay demand after approval by its responsible bargaining commission.
The current steel agreement is due to expire.
- Pay demand
- 5%
- Workers covered
- About 60,000
- Regions covered
- North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Bremen and Hesse
- Current agreement
- 15 months; three months with no increase, then a 1.75% pay rise
- Employer cost claim
- Wage and related costs average 15% to 20% above the European average
What people are saying
Anyone who produces steel every day under demanding conditions and supports the industry's transformation is entitled to a fair share in the economic recovery.
Our demand is moderate, understandable and fair.
categorically rejects
But this responsibility is always in the context of the companies’ possibilities and other obligations.