Metal workers in the German state of Baden - Wurttemberg can now choose to have a 28-hour week for up to a two - year period , following a deal between employers and the IG Metall industrial union . The deal , which followed mandatory 24-hour strikes at companies like Daimler , Siemens and Airbus , is a collective agreement , which is expected to be rolled out across Germany . The news demonstrates that work - life balance could prove as crucial as salary in future union negotiations , according to economists . IG reportedly refused a 6.8 % pay increase in favour of allowing workers to temporarily extend their hours .
Metal workers in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg can now choose to work a 28-hour week for up to a two-year period, following a deal between employers and the IG Metall industrial union. The deal, which followed three 24-hour strikes at firms like Daimler, Siemens and Airbus, is a landmark agreement, which is expected to be rolled out across Germany. The news demonstrates that work-life balance could prove as crucial as salary in future union negotiations, according to economists. IG reportedly refused a 6.8% pay increase in favour of allowing workers to temporarily reduce their hours.