Michelin Germany to Introduce 40-Hour Week

Michelin is planning to phase-in a 40-hour week to workers at the company’s five German production plants. The news affects 5,750 workers who previously worked 37.5 hours each week. They proposals suggest workers will earn the same weekly rate as before, effectively decreasing their hourly wages, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reported. Discussions between Michelin and workers are set to take place in November, with spring 2007 the target date for a resolution. “The pressure from the competitive situation and our customers is enormous. We cannot wait any longer. We need an agreement,” Michelin Germany director, Juergen Eitel told FAZ.