Poslovni novice: Združenje Gesamtmetall ocenjuje, da je ogroženo še 300.000 delovnih mest

The German employers' association Gesamtmetall warned on Wednesday that an additional 300,000 jobs in the metal and electrical industry face elimination within the next two to three years. The warning comes amid an escalating wage dispute with the trade union IG Metall, which has launched warning strikes across the sector. Oliver Zander, the chief executive officer of Gesamtmetall, stated that deindustrialization has already cost 350,000 jobs in the metal and electrical industry since 2019. He told the Bild newspaper that current underutilization threatens further employment losses. If these predictions hold true, total employment in the sector would drop to 3.4 million, marking the lowest level since German reunification in 1990. The labor conflict intensified immediately after the expiration of the peace obligation at midnight on Sunday. IG Metall initiated warning strikes in several companies, including the white steel manufacturer Thyssenkrupp Rasselstein in Andernach and the automotive supplier KSM Castings in Hildesheim. Night shift workers at these sites ceased work shortly after the legal protection period ended. In Hildesheim, approximately 300 union members gathered outside the KSM Castings plant gate with fire pots and torches to mark the start of the action. The union announced plans to expand these protests to the entire federal territory during the coming week. The negotiations concern roughly 3.7 million employees in key industrial branches such as automotive, machinery, electrical engineering, and metal production. IG Metall is demanding a five percent wage increase for both employees and apprentices over a twelve-month contract duration. The union also seeks a social component to protect lower pay groups, profit sharing in economically successful companies, and guarantees regarding job security and site preservation. Union President Christiane Benner described the employer's offer as having triggered "incomprehension and anger" among shop-floor workers. She characterized the planned actions as "strong warning strikes" designed to exert pressure on the negotiating table. Regional leader Thorsten Groeger criticized the employers for attempting to dismiss workers with "mini-percentages," stating that the workforce would make its position clearly heard in corporate headquarters. Andre Arenz, a member of the IG Metall board, labeled the employer proposal a "minus offer involving real wage losses," arguing that sacrifice does not save employees, locations, or the economy. Employers counter that their offer reflects the difficult economic conditions facing German industry. Their proposal includes a one-time payment equal to one percent of the average collective annual gross income in July 2027, followed by a permanent wage increase of 1.3 percent starting in July 2028. This arrangement would result in a contract term lasting until the end of 2028. The employers justify this below-inflation offer by citing high cost burdens and challenging market environments. Zander argued that the union’s demand for five percent over twelve months is irresponsible given the deteriorating situation. He described the state of the industry as catastrophic, noting that many companies are fighting for survival with no prospect of improvement in sight. The industrial unrest occurs against a backdrop of broader economic challenges for German manufacturers. The sector faces intense competition from Chinese rivals, high tariffs imposed by the United States, and lower profit margins associated with electric vehicles compared to combustion engines. These structural issues have contributed to the recent decline in employment figures cited by the employers' association. While the union focuses on immediate wage adjustments and job security, the employers emphasize the need for flexibility to ensure company viability. Other major industrial players are also adjusting their strategies in response to market pressures. BMW lowered its earnings forecast for fiscal year 2026 on Tuesday evening. The automaker revised its expected operating margin in the automobile segment to range between negative 0.5 percent and positive 0.5 percent, down from a previous expectation of one to three percent. The company attributed the change to decisions to accelerate measures aimed at slimming management functions and intensifying portfolio restructuring. BMW is scheduled to present its third-quarter report on Wednesday. Separately, Lufthansa signed an agreement to acquire a minority stake in the Portuguese carrier TAP Air Portugal. The deal values the initial 44.9 percent shareholding at 1.025 billion euros. Up to five percent of the shares are reserved for TAP employees, though these could potentially transfer to Lufthansa, raising the total purchase price to 1.2 billion euros. The Portuguese government will retain majority control with just over 50 percent of the shares. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr described the signing as a signal for future cooperation, highlighting complementary networks and new growth perspectives in South America and Brazil. The transaction remains subject to approval by competition authorities. Lufthansa secured this opportunity after competing against Air France-KLM, which previously won a majority stake in Scandinavian Airlines. Meanwhile, luxury carmaker Ferrari reported that it had nearly achieved its full-year business goals within the first nine months. Profits before taxes and interest rose by 12 percent in the third quarter to 563 million euros. Revenue increased by seven percent to 1.9 billion euros. The company expressed satisfaction with the performance of its first electric vehicle model. As the wage talks continue, the gap between the union's demands and the employers' financial capacity appears significant. The union maintains that its requests are necessary to preserve purchasing power, while the employers argue that higher costs would exacerbate existing operational difficulties. With strikes expanding geographically, attention turns to whether either side will adjust positions in upcoming rounds or if the standoff will persist through the winter season. The outcome of these negotiations will likely influence investment decisions and staffing levels across Germany's core manufacturing base.