IG Metall is Germany’s largest union. It demanded a 5% pay rise for 3.7 million workers at metal and electrical companies such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Siemens.
IG Metall’s demand became formal on September 23, 2026. The catch is that strikes are banned until October 31, 2026, so warning strikes can start the next day only if no deal is reached.
What Is IG Metall Asking For in Its 5% Pay Demand?
IG Metall isn’t only asking for more money. It’s executive board approved a three-part package:
- 5% more pay, with proportionally more for workers in lower wage groups
- Job protection written into the new pay agreement, to keep jobs and company locations safe
- A new profit-sharing scheme, so employees at strong companies get a share of the profits
IG Metall chair Christiane Benner said employees expect two things: secure jobs and a fair share of the profits. Nadine Boguslawski leads collective bargaining (the pay talks between unions and employers) on IG Metall’s board. 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 business is going well for most metal and electrical companies, but not for all of them.
About two-thirds report good order books. In other words, customers have placed enough orders to keep their factories busy. Strong sectors include:
- Shipbuilding
- Rail vehicles
- Medical technology
- Aerospace
- Defense
The remaining third of metal and electrical companies faces weaker conditions. Automotive and mechanical engineering firms are struggling the most.
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.
