The Guardian 13 February, 2008
German metal workers strike
Some 10,000 German metal workers laid down their tools on February 7 in a warning strike intended to put pressure on the industry’s leaders. They want a bigger piece of the nation’s economic growth.
The strike affected over a dozen metal plants, mostly in Germany’s industrial heartland, the Ruhr Valley, the IG Metall trade union said. Around 1,500 workers went on strike at the ArcelorMittal factory in Bremen alone. ThyssenKrupp in Duisburg was also hit hard, with 1,000 employees halting work.
"We are demanding a fair share of the unprecedented boom," said Oliver Burkhard, IG Metall Director in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, referring to the sector’s recent economic growth.
Three rounds of negotiations between the union and the employers have failed to bring resolution. Representatives from both sides will continue talks on February 19.
An offer is expected to be presented by the employers this week. The union has said that further strikes could take place before then.
The strike is one in a slough of recent sit-downs that has affected a variety of sectors in Germany, including transport and public service.