The IG BCE made its demands two days before the start of the Ukraine war.
(Photo: imago images/Future Image)
Berlin In the first round of collective bargaining for around 580,000 employees in the chemical industry, there has not yet been a breakthrough at federal level. After two days of talks, the employers’ association BAVC and the trade union IG BCE adjourned. In less than two weeks, on April 4th and 5th, negotiations are to be resumed in Wiesbaden.
The IG BCE made its demands two days before the start of the Ukraine war. In view of high inflation rates, she wants to achieve an increase in purchasing power for employees, but had not mentioned a specific percentage requirement. In addition, the union is demanding higher shift allowances, a further development of the training agreement and regulations for mobile working.
However, all economic and inflation forecasts on which a realistic wage agreement could be based became invalid with the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24th. IG-BCE negotiator Ralf Sikorski therefore offered employers in the Handelsblatt “to build a bridge over the valley of uncertainty”.
BAVC negotiator Hans Oberschulte said after the talks that it was clear to everyone “that the world of collective bargaining has changed since February 24.” Negotiations are being conducted in a situation of maximum uncertainty. “The economic consequences of the war are already dramatic.”
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In this situation, the unions have a special responsibility, emphasized the BASF manager. Because currently no one can seriously assess what lasting consequences the war will have for the chemical industry, it is not the time “for big jumps in pay”.
According to the union’s chief negotiator, the parties are still far apart on key issues.
(Photo: dpa)
Both sides have moved towards each other in some areas of the demand, such as detailed questions about shift work, trainees and mobile work, trade unionist Sikorski said on Tuesday. However, they are still far apart when it comes to the core questions of the financial structure of a possible bridging solution.
Union submits combination proposal
“Employers still have a long way to go to cross the bridge that we have built.” According to Sikorski, the union has proposed a combination of a spreadsheet, ie permanent percentage increase in salaries, and a one-off payment. And this with a short term in order to first get over the current situation of economic uncertainty.
Employer representative Oberschulte explained that the core issue is to limit long-term burdens on companies, such as a percentage table increase would entail, and at the same time to dampen the consequences of inflation for employees.
More: Interview with employer negotiator Oberschulte: High energy prices affect companies and employees alike