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12 February, 2007
Bargaining between ICEM affiliate IGBCE and the BAVC employers’ association for 550,000 chemical workers in western Germany proved futile on 8 February. After several rounds of talks on regional levels, IGBCE and BAVC met at a national table in Hannover.
The result was non-conclusion, with employers submitting no viable proposals. IGBCE Head of Collective Bargaining, Werner Bischoff, called it “completely incomprehensible” that chemical employers offered nothing of substance. “We want a contract of economic fairness,” Werner said. “That means: good money for good work.”
Werner added that it would be impossible for the union to settle for a wage increase of less than 3% in 2007, while 4% is a fair and realistic target. “We seek an attractive proposal that addresses the unique position the industry is in,” he said.
Werner Bischoff
This unique position is a result of the 2004 round of negotiations with the IGBCE, through which wages increased only 2.7% and a single payout was granted. More importantly, to boost the industry, IGBCE agreed to increase the number of trainees and apprenticeships allowed to work in the industry.
Werner called that agreement a complete success, with 7% more training places for young workers in Germany’s chemicals sector. He said the industry has been stabilised and it is now time for employers to bargain fairly. “Young people need to know that they have a future in the chemicals industry.”
IGBCE and the BAVC employers group will return to national level talks on 8 March in Lahnstein.