The article details the recent wage negotiations and agreement reached between IG Metall, Germany’s largest metalworkers’ union, and steel corporations in North Rhine-Westphalia. It criticizes IG Metall for accepting a deal that effectively cuts real wages for steelworkers despite the expiration of the no-strike period in their previous contract.
The agreement includes a one-time payment of €1,000 and a 3.2% wage increase beginning in August 2025. However, the article argues that this increase is insufficient to offset the current high inflation rate, leading to a decrease in workers’ purchasing power. It contends that IG Metall prioritized the interests of the steel corporations over the needs of its members by agreeing to a deal that fails to adequately address the rising cost of living.
The article emphasizes that the steel companies are currently making significant profits while workers are struggling with inflation. It suggests that IG Metall capitulated to the demands of the employers and failed to leverage the union’s bargaining power to secure a more favorable agreement for its members. The article implies that the deal underscores a broader trend of unions prioritizing collaboration with employers over the defense of workers’ interests.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/10/03/bqxx-o03.html