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IG Metall union stages warning strikes in Berlin and Brandenburg

Nationwide · pinned on Berlin, Germany · since Nov 1, 2026

Is it still on?

YESDay 7 and counting, since Nov 1.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
Workers are protesting after wage negotiations between the union and employers broke down following the expiration of the collective agreement.
What they want
Protesters demand a 5 percent wage increase, better conditions for lower-wage groups, and strong guarantees for jobs and plant locations.
What changed
Nov 7: Over 400,000 workers across Germany participated in warning strikes organised by the IG Metall union.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • A 5 percent pay increase
  • Better conditions for lower-wage groups
  • Firm guarantees for jobs and plant locations in Germany
  • Tariff-based profit sharing for employees and apprentices

Organised by: IG Metall

What authorities say

Employers proposed a 1.3 percent wage increase starting in July 2028 along with a conditional one-time payment, which the union rejected as provocative and insufficient.1234

The numbers

Only figures a source states, with who said it. Estimates often differ.

Crowd
400,000+
More than 400,000 employees in the automotive, engineering and electrical sectors took to the streets nationwide234

The full story

The IG Metall union organised warning strikes across Germany, including in Berlin and Brandenburg, after wage negotiations for the metal and electrical industries collapsed. The industrial actions began after the previous collective agreement expired on November 1. According to union figures, over 400,000 workers participated in strikes across more than 2,000 companies. The union is demanding a 5 percent pay increase over 12 months, enhanced terms for lower wage brackets, profit-sharing, and firm guarantees to protect jobs and production sites against closure or relocation. Employers previously offered a 1.3 percent wage increase starting in July 2028 along with a conditional one-time payment, which the union rejected as inadequate. Negotiations are set to continue.

Timeline

  1. The IG Metall union reported that over 400,000 industrial workers participated in warning strikes nationwide.234

  2. The IG Metall district announced that the third round of tariff negotiations in Berlin and Brandenburg is scheduled for Friday.1

  3. Warning strikes and protests began at midnight as the previous collective agreement and industrial peace obligation expired.34

Pins sit on city centres, never on gathering points

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