IG Metall

{{Infobox union

| name = IGM

| full_name = German Metalworkers' Union

| native_name = Industriegewerkschaft Metall

| native_name_lang = de

| location_country = Germany

| affiliation = DGB

| members = 2.27 millionErik Kirschbaum (June 8, 2015), [https://www.reuters.com/article/germany-union-metall-leader-idUSL5N0YU42020150608?feedType=RSS&feedName=everything&virtualBrandChannel=11563 Moderate head of powerful German union steps down unexpectedly] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928145945/https://www.reuters.com/article/germany-union-metall-leader-idUSL5N0YU42020150608?feedType=RSS&feedName=everything&virtualBrandChannel=11563 |date=2023-09-28 }} Reuters.

| image = IG Metall logo.svg

| founded = September 1, 1949, West Germany

| headquarters = Frankfurt, Germany

| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Jörg Hofmann|Christiane Benner}}

| website = {{URL|www.igmetall.de}}

}}

File:Igm-verwaltung-ffm001.jpg

IG Metall ({{IPA|de|iːɡeː meˈtal|lang|De-IG Metall.ogg}}; IGM; German: {{lang|de|Industriegewerkschaft Metall}}, "Industrial Union of Metalworkers'") is the dominant metalworkers' union in Germany, making it the country's largest union as well as Europe's largest industrial union.Hendrik Sackmann (May 18, 2012), [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-wages-deal-confirmation-idUSBRE84I01N20120519 German IG Metall, employers confirm 4.3 percent wage deal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518122947/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-wages-deal-confirmation-idUSBRE84I01N20120519 |date=2021-05-18 }} Reuters. Analysts of German labor relations consider it a major trend-setter in national bargaining.

IG Metall and ver.di together account for around 15 percent of the German workforce, and other sectors tend to broadly follow their agreements.Edward Taylor and Ilona Wissenbach (January 26, 2018), [https://www.reuters.com/article/germany-wages/update-1-german-union-agrees-to-last-ditch-talks-to-try-to-avert-strikes-idUSL8N1PL3BZ German union agrees to last-ditch talks to try to avert strikes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928191652/https://www.reuters.com/article/germany-wages/update-1-german-union-agrees-to-last-ditch-talks-to-try-to-avert-strikes-idUSL8N1PL3BZ |date=2023-09-28 }} Reuters.

History

The name IG Metall refers to the union's metalworkers roots dating back to the start of unions in imperial Germany in the 1890s, though this formal organization was founded post-war in 1949.Wikipedia DE{{Better source needed|date=November 2015|reason=WP:CIRCULAR}} Over the years the union has taken on representation in industries beyond mining of minerals to include manufacturing and industrial production, machinists, printing industry, which includes modern automobile manufacturing and steel production as part of its blue-collar root, but also includes more white-collar sectors such as electrical and other forms of engineering, information systems, and with the combining of formerly separate unions for workers in wood, plastics, textiles and clothing, includes non-metal blue-collar workers. On April 1, 1998, the Textile and Clothing Union (GTB) joined IG Metall. On January 1, 2000, the Wood and Plastic Union (GHK), also joined.

Deals agreed by IG Metall in the pilot region of Baden-Württemberg, an industrial and car-making hub and home to Daimler and Bosch, have traditionally been serving as a template for agreements across the country.Ilona Wissenbach (July 30, 2015), [https://www.reuters.com/article/germany-wages-igmetall-idUSL5N0VY07320150224 Germany's IG Metall union agrees 3.4 pct wage rise] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515230210/https://www.reuters.com/article/germany-wages-igmetall-idUSL5N0VY07320150224 |date=2021-05-15 }} Reuters.

Major accomplishments of IG Metall in the German labor market include, applied to the regions/covered employees:

Five-day work week (1959)
Paid vacation time concessions (1962)
40 hr work week (1965–1967)
Paid sick leave (1956)
35-hour work week (attempts not yet successful 1984)
35-hour work week in metal industry (1995)

Most recently, IG Metall agreed to a landmark deal with employers in 2016, giving 3.8 million workers in the metalworking sector a two-stage pay rise of 4.8 percent over 21 months.Klaus Lauer (May 18, 2016), [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-economy-wages/german-construction-workers-agree-two-stage-wage-rise-idUSKCN0Y90NM German construction workers agree two-stage wage rise] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109181632/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-economy-wages/german-construction-workers-agree-two-stage-wage-rise-idUSKCN0Y90NM |date=2018-01-09 }} Reuters. After a series of strikes, the union agreed a deal in 2018 to allow staff to cut their working week to 28 hours for up to two years to care for children or other relatives.Emma Thomasson (August 15, 2020), [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-labour/german-union-ig-metall-backs-four-day-week-to-save-jobs-idUSKCN25B0FG?il=0 German union IG Metall backs four-day week to save jobs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815111408/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-labour/german-union-ig-metall-backs-four-day-week-to-save-jobs-idUSKCN25B0FG?il=0 |date=2020-08-15 }} Reuters. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, IG Metall notably proposed negotiating for a move to a four-day week to help secure jobs against economic fallout from the coronavirus crisis and structural shifts in the automobile industry.

= Major strikes =

Strikes are rare in Germany, where companies and unions strive for consensus whenever possible. One of the first strikes of IG Metall lasted seven weeks in 1984 in the states of Baden-Württemberg and Hesse, which led to a reduction in the workweek to 35 hours from 37. Another major strike was organized by IG Metall in 1995, when up to 11,000 workers in Bavaria remained off the job for two weeks.Nathaniel Cushing Nash (February 25, 1995), [https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/25/business/company-news-biggest-german-union-begins-strike.html Biggest German Union Begins Strike] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044213/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/25/business/company-news-biggest-german-union-begins-strike.html |date=2017-12-01 }} The New York Times.Edmund L. Andrews (February 18, 1999), [https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/18/business/international-business-strike-by-biggest-german-union-is-averted.html Strike by Biggest German Union Is Averted] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201061626/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/18/business/international-business-strike-by-biggest-german-union-is-averted.html |date=2017-12-01 }} The New York Times. In 2002, IG Metall called a wave of one-day strikes in a demand for a 6.5 percent increase in wages; German industry settled the dispute two weeks later by offering a raise of roughly 4 percent.Edmund L. Andrews (May 16, 2002), [https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/16/business/german-metalworkers-union-wins-higher-wages.html German Metalworkers' Union Wins Higher Wages] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128170206/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/16/business/german-metalworkers-union-wins-higher-wages.html |date=2018-01-28 }} The New York Times.Mark Landler (July 9, 2003), [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/09/business/a-german-union-takes-stock.html A German Union Takes Stock] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227015001/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/09/business/a-german-union-takes-stock.html |date=2017-12-27 }} The New York Times. In 2003, the union was forced to drop its campaign for a shorter workweek in the factories of eastern Germany after its hard-nosed negotiating tactics were repudiated by Germans across the political spectrum.Mark Landler (July 22, 2003), [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/22/business/union-leader-retires-early-in-feud-fallout.html Union Leader Retires Early in Feud Fallout] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227014938/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/22/business/union-leader-retires-early-in-feud-fallout.html |date=2017-12-27 }} The New York Times. In early 2018, more than 900,000 workers took part in industrial action in support of IG Metall's demands for higher pay and the right to shortened working hours.Ilona Wissenbach (January 27, 2018), [https://www.reuters.com/article/germany-wages/update-1-strikes-loom-as-german-industrial-wage-talks-end-without-a-deal-idUSL8N1PM08H Strikes loom as German industrial wage talks end without a deal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405074800/https://www.reuters.com/article/germany-wages/update-1-strikes-loom-as-german-industrial-wage-talks-end-without-a-deal-idUSL8N1PM08H |date=2022-04-05 }} Reuters.

In autumn 2024, warning strikes of workers in electrical engineering and metal industries were held after collective bargaining negotiations fell short. In these negotiations, employers offered a 3.6% pay rise over a period of 27 months which was considerably lower than the 7% sought by IG Metall. Companies criticised IG Metall's demands as unrealistic due to a general slowdown in German industry. IG Metall however pointed out high inflation and the failure to attract much-needed skilled labour.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-metal-electric-industries-plan-tuesday-strikes-over-wage-row-union-says-2024-10-28/ |title=German metal, electric industries plan Tuesday strikes over wage row, union says |date=October 28, 2024 |work=Reuters }}

Also in 2024, IG Metall agreed with Volkswagen on more than 35,000 job cuts and sharp capacity reductions after two separate strikes, the largest in Volkswagen's history, protesting against cost-cutting plans, and 70 hours of negotiations, the longest in the company's history.Christina Amann (December 21, 2024), [https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/rapprochement-between-volkswagen-union-wage-talks-sources-say-2024-12-20/ VW reaches union deal to cut 35,000 German jobs after gruelling talks] Reuters.

Membership

Today{{when|date=July 2023}} IG Metall mainly represents employees at major car makers, such as Daimler, BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen, Audi and industrial giants such as Siemens, ThyssenKrupp, Airbus, Salzgitter AG, ArcelorMittal, Bosch, ZF and smaller mechanic construction companies and car-mechanics. Its membership had been dropping in recent decades — it lost 250,000 members in 1993 alone —,Nathaniel Cushing Nash (February 19, 1995), [https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/19/world/in-a-charged-climate-german-union-takes-strike-vote-tomorrow.html In a Charged Climate, German Union Takes Strike Vote Tomorrow] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201055409/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/19/world/in-a-charged-climate-german-union-takes-strike-vote-tomorrow.html |date=2017-12-01 }} The New York Times. yet the union managed to somewhat reverse that trend recently by gaining 30,000 members between 2010 and 2015. A record in wage deals, along with a push to recruit more women, young people (e.g. students) and white-collar workers, helped it boost 2015 membership by 121,000 to 2.3 million and income by 3.4 percent to 533 million euros ($582 million); this rise came against a backdrop of generally declining union in Germany.Georgina Prodhan (January 20, 2016), [https://www.reuters.com/article/germany-wages-unions-idUSL8N15429I German IG Metall union sees economy supporting wage demands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035811/https://www.reuters.com/article/germany-wages-unions-idUSL8N15429I |date=2017-12-01 }} Reuters.

= Notable members =

Norbert Blüm — former Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs
Sigmar Gabriel — former Vice Chancellor of Germany
Hannelore Kraft — former Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia
Heiko Maas — former Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
Hans Matthöfer — former Federal Minister of Finance
Andrea Nahles — former Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs
Svenja Schulze — former Federal Minister of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
Carsten Sieling — former President of the Senate and Mayor of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen

Organisation structure

= Regional districts =

IG Metall consists of 7 {{lang|de|Bezirke}} (districts) which are subdivided in {{lang|de|Verwaltungstellen}} (administrative areas):

[http://www.bw.igm.de/ Bezirk Baden-Württemberg] headquarters located in Stuttgart; 28 Verwaltungstellen
[http://www.igmetall-bayern.de Bezirk Bayern] (Bavaria) headquarters located in Munich; 21 Verwaltungstellen
[http://www.igmetall-bbs.de Bezirk Berlin-Brandenburg-Sachsen] (Berlin + Brandenburg + Saxony) headquarters located in Berlin; 12 Verwaltungstellen
[http://www.igmetall-bezirk-frankfurt.de Bezirk Frankfurt] (Saarland + Rhineland-Palatinate + Hesse + Thuringia) headquarters located in Frankfurt/Main; 27 Verwaltungstellen
[http://www.igmetall-kueste.de Bezirk Küste] ("Küste"= "Sea Coast") (Bremen + Hamburg + Schleswig-Holstein + Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania + North Lower Saxony) headquarters located in Hamburg; 19 Verwaltungstellen
[http://www.igmetall-nieder-sachsen-anhalt.de Bezirk Niedersachsen und Sachsen-Anhalt] (Middle/South Lower Saxony + Saxony-Anhalt) headquarters located in Hanover; 20 Verwaltungstellen
[http://www.nrw.igmetall.de Bezirk Nordrhein-Westfalen] (North Rhine-Westphalia) headquarters located in Düsseldorf; 47 Verwaltungstellen

= Chairs =

Era ! Chair(s) ! 2nd Chair
class="wikitable"
1949–1950*	Hans Brümmer Walter Freitag Wilhelm Petersen
1950–1952	Hans Brümmer	Walter Freitag
1952–1956	Hans Brümmer	Otto Brenner
1956–1968	Otto Brenner
1968–1972	Otto Brenner	Eugen Loderer
1972–1983	Eugen Loderer	Hans Mayr
1983–1986	Hans Mayr	Franz Steinkühler
1986–1989	Franz Steinkühler	Karl-Heinz Jansen
1989–1993	Franz Steinkühler	Klaus Zwickel
1993–1998	Klaus Zwickel	Walter Riester
1998–2003	Klaus Zwickel	Jürgen Peters
2003–2007	Jürgen Peters	Berthold Huber
2007–2013	Berthold Huber	Detlef Wetzel
2013–2015	Detlef Wetzel	Jörg Hofmann
2015–2023{{cite web \|url=https://www.igmetall.de/presse/ig-metall-vorstand \|title=IG Metall Vorstand \|trans-title=IG Metall Directors \|publisher=IG Metall \|language=de \|access-date=July 31, 2023 \|archive-date=July 31, 2023 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731105232/https://www.igmetall.de/presse/ig-metall-vorstand \|url-status=live }}	Jörg Hofmann	Christiane Benner
2023–	Christiane Benner	Jürgen Kerner

*Until 1956, IGM had two co-equal chairpersons. Thereafter, the organization changed to a 1st Chair and 2nd Chair, with the 2nd Chair being traditionally promoted to 1st Chair upon the retirement of the 1st Chair. However, Alois Wöhrle (1969) and Karl-Heinz Janzen (1992) retired without advancing to 1st Chair, while Walter Riester (1998) became Federal Minister of Labour and therefore dropped out.

= International relations =

IG Metall is a member of the German Trade Union Confederation (Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund, DGB). IGM is also a member of some international union umbrella organisations, including the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF) and the IndustriALL Global Union.

In 2015, IG Metall and the U.S. United Automobile Workers (UAW) announced that they would deepen their partnership and set up an office in Tennessee to boost labor rights at German automakers and their suppliers based in the United States.Kirsti Knolle and Tim Ghianni (November 19, 2015), [https://www.reuters.com/article/germany-carmakers-unions-idUSL8N13E5FK20151120#YULjUApuAPZr1uzX.97 Germany's IG Metall to deepen ties with U.S. union UAW] Reuters.

{{lang|de|metall}} magazine

The IGM magazine, {{lang|de|metallzeitung}}, has existed since 1949. In 2005 it had a circulation of over 2 million. There are 12 issues per year.

References

External links

[http://www.igmetall.de/ German homepage]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20090226004627/http://www.igmetall.de/cps/rde/xchg/internet/style.xsl/view_3782.htm English section of German Homepage]
https://web.archive.org/web/20050306000309/http://www.otto-brenner-stiftung.de/englisch.neu/
[http://www.igmetall.de/cps/rde/xchg/internet/style.xsl/metallzeitung-1178.htm online version of the magazine, in German]