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Future of Wireco in Limbach: IG Metall is fighting against job losses!
In the Saarpfalz district, negotiations are underway at Wireco to prevent job cuts and achieve better working conditions.
Future of Wireco in Limbach: IG Metall is fighting against job losses!
In Limbach, where the Wireco company, formerly known as Casar, is based, there is a lot of rumblings. This is primarily due to the threat of job cuts, which threatens the existence of the location, which was recently considered to be at massive risk. IG Metall Homburg Saarpfalz reports that there is hope that the job cuts could be less extensive compared to the original forecasts. Negotiations with company management have been ongoing since mid-September and are aimed at developing a collective agreement that will show future prospects for the location. Salvatore Vicari, the union's second representative, is optimistic, but at the same time recognizes the challenges that the situation poses.
A few months earlier, on November 8, 2024, Wireco employees stopped work on all three shifts. This happened during a warning strike called by IG Metall, which made it clear how important better working conditions and fair pay are to the employees. At that time, production came to a standstill and the workforce gathered in front of the factory gate to make their demands clear. The rally was accompanied by strong words emphasizing the need for fair wages and improved working conditions. This determination was further strengthened by the presence of Pallmann's representatives in Zweibrücken.
The goals of collective bargaining
Accompanied by the determination of the workforce, IG Metall is demanding the following during the current collective bargaining movement: an increase in monthly wages by 7 percent, an increase in training allowances by 170 euros per month as well as discussions about a social component and improvements in the conversion of the additional wages according to the collective agreement. These demands have a broader context, as collective bargaining is crucial to ensuring fair working conditions. These negotiations could not only lead to higher wages, but also create the conditions for a better work-life balance. According to the Haufe Academy, collective agreements take precedence over individual employment contracts and thus secure the rights of all employees.
Collective bargaining is a central matter: it begins with preparation in which union members discuss their demands. If an agreement is reached, all agreements will be recorded in writing. If this process leads to a dead end, indefinite strikes can be called provided 75 percent of members give their consent. Such a step would have a decisive impact on the corporate culture and working atmosphere and could help to better take the concerns of the workforce into account in the future.
The negotiations at Wireco reflect a much larger picture. Currently, the challenges facing the workforce are not just a local issue, but also an industry-wide issue. The dangers of job losses and insecure workplaces send unmistakable signals about the changing world of work, in which fair conditions and loyal treatment by employers are more important than ever. IG Metall has therefore clearly set itself the goal of standing up for the rights of employees in these exciting times.