Overview

• The first bargaining round for the Nordwest and Ost regions is scheduled for September 16 in Düsseldorf.
• The negotiations cover about 82,000 employees nationwide, including roughly 68,000 in the two regions, with Saarland talks set for mid-November.
• IG Metall enters without a numeric wage claim, demands an inflation adjustment to preserve real pay, and rules out a zero round.
• The steel employers’ association rejects raises, citing a deep industry crisis with high energy costs, costly green-steel investments, weak demand, import pressure, and higher U.S. tariffs.
• Both sides press for government action such as stronger trade defenses and a possible steel summit, while a restructuring deal for roughly 27,000 Thyssenkrupp steelworkers could influence strike participation.