Metal workers in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg can now choose to work a 28-hour two-year for up to a week 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.
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.