IG Metall is Germany’s largest union. IG Metall formally demanded a 5% wage increase on September 23, 2026.
The demand covers 3.7 million metal and electrical industry employees. They work at firms such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Siemens. Regional bargaining starts October 7, 2026.
What Is IG Metall Asking For in Its 5% Pay Demand?
IG Metall’s executive board approved a package that goes beyond a headline wage number. The package includes:
- A 5% wage increase over 12 months
- Proportionally more for lower wage groups
- A new profit-sharing scheme at strong companies
- Job protection measures for the 2026 bargaining round
- Support for future sector investment
IG Metall chair Christiane Benner said employees expect secure jobs and fair profit-sharing. IG Metall’s collective bargaining board member Nadine Boguslawski called the package “responsible, fair, and tailored precisely.”
Can Metal and Electrical Firms Afford IG Metall’s 5% Pay Rise?
IG Metall’s own survey shows a split metal and electrical industry.
Two-thirds of metal and electrical companies report good order books, including those in:
- Shipbuilding
- Rail vehicles
- Medical technology
- Aerospace
- Defense
The remaining third of metal and electrical companies faces weaker conditions. Meanwhile, automotive and mechanical engineering firms face the toughest conditions.
Employer representative Peter Sebastian Krause rejected IG Metall’s 5% demand as unrealistic. He argued companies must first become competitive again.
Employer associations called the 5% figure out of touch. The employer associations point to current cost pressures across the industry.
When Could IG Metall Warning Strikes Start in 2026?
A peace obligation (Friedenspflicht) bans strikes while it applies. IG Metall’s key 2026 bargaining dates are:
| Date | What Happens in the IG Metall Bargaining Round |
|---|---|
| October 7, 2026 | Regional bargaining talks begin |
| October 31, 2026 | The peace obligation expires |
| November 1, 2026 | Warning strikes (Warnstreiks) can start if no deal is reached |
Warning strikes are short, targeted work stoppages. Unions use them routinely to add pressure during negotiations.
TIP: If you work at a metal or electrical company covered by the IG Metall talks, or rely on its suppliers, watch the first half of November 2026. That is when strike disruption is most likely.
