The IG Metall union has called on employees at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Ludwigsfelde, south of Berlin, to conduct a two-hour strike amid prolonged negotiations over wage increases, reports dpa.
Employees of the local automotive parts supplier Gestamp have also been urged to join the strike action.
The strike will begin Monday morning, a union representative said. With this, IG Metall intends to increase pressure on employers following the conclusion of the third round of negotiations over wages for metal and electrical industry workers in Berlin and Brandenburg without an agreement.
“Employers continue to insist on their unacceptable offer and complain about strikes that have already taken place. However, resolving the labor dispute depends on the employers making a reasonable offer regarding compensation for work,” the union representative stated. “Until such an offer is made, it is necessary to increase pressure on the companies,” he added.
IG Metall demands a 5% wage increase within a 12-month collective agreement framework for roughly 96,000 employees in Berlin and Brandenburg. The union also aims to secure employment guarantees and preserve production sites.
During the second round of negotiations, employers presented a nationally coordinated proposal providing for a one-time payment next year and a 1.3% wage increase starting in July 2028. IG Metall rejected this offer as insufficient, stating the planned increase does not compensate for inflation.
The employers explained their position by citing the difficult economic situation and the high expenses of German industry.
Germany's automotive sector is under pressure due to the necessary transition to electric vehicles, increased competition from Chinese manufacturers, and other economic factors.
