HAMBURG (dpa-AFX) – In the conflict over a collective agreement at Vestas (Vestas Wind Systems AS), IG Metall is switching from the negotiating table back to strike mode after a two-month break. “The Danish wind turbine manufacturer has repeatedly withdrawn offers and commitments,” the union criticizes. Therefore, the negotiations were difficult. At the end of March, both sides had still spread confidence. “The aim of the collective bargaining parties is to come to collective bargaining agreements in a timely manner,” said a joint statement by the IG Metall Coast District and Vestas Deutschland GmbH (Hamburg).
That optimism is gone. “Trustworthy collective bargaining looks different. Taking offers off the table from one day to the next does not meet our expectations of a reliable negotiating partner,” said the union’s negotiator, Rendsburg IG Metall Managing Director Martin Bitter.
Vestas had long blocked negotiations on an in-house wage agreement because the company originally only wanted to talk to the works council about pay issues. IG Metall then launched a labor dispute last summer. First there were shorter warning strikes, after a ballot, since November there have also been strikes lasting several days. Vestas then sat down at the negotiating table with the union in March. The labor dispute had been suspended.
“Service technicians for wind turbines have very tough and challenging working conditions. Vestas has not yet had any vacation or Christmas bonuses or regulations for partial retirement,” according to the union. “Instead of negotiating constructively with IG Metall, Vestas is refusing and risking further loss of reputation with both customers and potential employees if the strike is resumed.”
According to earlier information, 1,700 people work at Vestas Germany, 700 of them as fitters. The trade union has been complaining for a long time that many suppliers, such as machine builders, are subject to the collective bargaining agreement for the metal and electrical industry. In the case of manufacturers and in the service sector, however, the wind industry has so far largely refused to accept binding tariff rules./kf/DP/zb
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