Overview

• Negotiations began for the Nordwest and Ost regions in a joint session covering about 68,000 employees.
• IG Metall entered without a numeric pay claim and is pressing a responsibility package focused on job security, skills retention and real‑wage protection.
• The union insists inflation must be compensated and rules out a wage freeze for workers.
• The employers’ association has rejected pay increases, arguing they exceed what the industry can bear under present conditions.
• The talks proceed under a peace obligation until September 30, with a second meeting for the northwest area set for Friday in Düsseldorf and Saarland talks scheduled for mid‑November.