07.04.2012/XNUMX/XNUMX - Stuttgarter Zeitung: Interview with the Gesamtmetall President Martin Kannegiesser on the collective bargaining conflict: "An offer during the peace obligation is simply appropriate"
Stuttgart (ots) - Gesamtmetall President Martin Kannegiesser has warned IG Metall in view of an impending escalation in the collective bargaining conflict "not to destroy what has been built up over the years". “A labor dispute would be a step backwards,” he said in an interview with the “Stuttgarter Zeitung” (Saturday edition). "There could be a crack in the relationship between the collective bargaining parties."
The alliance made during the crisis is the greatest strength of the German economy. But the union is currently riding "on a dark cloud of sentiment". "If it creates unrest and insecurity everywhere with mobilization as the top priority, it is jeopardizing a significant locational advantage," criticized Kannegiesser. Nevertheless, he announced a wage offer for the next round of negotiations until the end of April. "If we are not polemically attacked again and the whole thing is pushed up, you should make an offer within the peace obligation," he said. "It's just the way it is."
However, the chairman of the employers' association remained tough with regard to the unlimited hiring of all trainees, which the union demanded. "Bringing the issue of takeover in this form is part of a union campaign among young people under the label of member recruitment - propaganda that does nothing in the matter," he complained. IG Metall had accused employers of inciting member companies on this issue. "Anyone who talks about incitement is deliberately confusing the sides," countered Kannegiesser. The companies are not so emotionally involved in any other topic. It is "understandable that they do not want to be shackled when taking over - especially from the collective bargaining parties, who hardly play a particularly constructive role in vocational training".
On the other hand, the All-Metal President sees the opportunity to pacify the conflict over temporary work. The wage gaps between temporary workers and regular employees had become too large in some areas.
They would now be concluded in negotiations between IG Metall and the temporary employment associations. The principle of “equal pay for equal work” is undisputed between the parties to the collective bargaining agreement, even if temporary work becomes more expensive for companies, said Kannegiesser. "The main concern is accepted, but you shouldn't go too far in order not to kill the instrument."
(Stuttgarter Zeitung)
