German rubber sector union demanding higher wages

In what may be a poorly timed coincidence the announcement of a notable reduction in Goodyear’s global workforce came just days after the union representing many employees in Germany confirmed demands for more money. On 25 January 2023, IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie (IG BCE) shared details of upcoming negotiations on behalf of 25,000 rubber sector workers, naming Goodyear as one of the “large companies” it represents. The union’s income wishlist includes a cost of living pay rise and one-off inflation bonus.

“In their demand recommendation the colleagues have strongly and clearly stated that they now need money quickly in order to pay the bills. Because the wave of price rises is hitting them hard,” commented Marc Welters, who is leading negotiations on behalf of IG BCE. Welters added that in addition to a one-time bonus, the union wants to “push through an increase in remuneration that will secure the employees’ purchasing power in the long term.” While IG BCE doesn’t name a figure in its statement, the union speaks of its intention to negotiate a ”significant percentual plus” going forwards.

Initial negotiations with the ADK, the association representing employers in Germany’s rubber sector, are scheduled to take place on 8 February.

With almost 600,000 members, the IG BCE claims to be the second-largest industrial union in Germany. It represents workers in more than a dozen industries, including chemistry, pharmaceuticals, biotech, energy, raw materials, mining, plastic, rubber, paper, ceramics and glass.