Overview
- Warning strikes began Sunday after the statutory peace obligation expired at midnight, with night shifts stopping work at sites such as Thyssenkrupp Rasselstein in Andernach and RF 360/Qualcomm in Munich.
- IG Metall has demanded a 5% wage increase for 12 months plus measures to secure jobs and locations, rejecting the employers’ offer of a one‑off payment and a delayed 1.3% permanent raise.
- About 3.7 million workers in auto, machinery, electronics and metal production are covered by the tariff round, making any escalation likely to hit key supply chains and factory output.
- The union says it will widen time‑limited warning strikes nationwide next week, but the exact scope and duration remain undecided and will be set by regional IG Metall districts.
- Warning strikes are legally permitted short work stoppages once a peace obligation ends and are used to increase bargaining pressure; a negotiated pilot agreement in one district can be copied by others and shape the final settlement.