Strike at Elmess in Uelzen: Employees urgently call for a collective agreement!

Strike at Elmess in Uelzen: Employees urgently call for a collective agreement!

The situation at Elmess thermosystem technology in Uelzen has dramatically pointed. On Friday morning, October 11, 2024, at 6 a.m., the employees laid their work, which led to an indefinite strike. This was announced by IG Metall, which actively intervenes in this conflict. The background of the strike are a long -lasting conflict of tariffs: The union has been calling for the recognition of the collective agreements that apply to the Lower Saxony metal industry for over a year

The mood in front of the work gate could not be more determined. Practically all employees are involved in the campaign - IG Metall speaks of a strike participation of almost 100 percent. In the event of a coordination, 89 percent of the employees gave their consent to this step, which is a clear signal for corporate management. Lennard Aldag, the first representative of the union for the Celle-Lüneburg region, emphasizes that this is a direct answer to the company's refusal to negotiate a collective agreement.

strike as a means of pressure

The strike has been organized to increase the pressure on the company management, which has so far rejected a collective agreement. In the past, the employees had already demonstrated in front of the town hall and expressed their determination. Another meeting with corporate management, which took place in Copenhagen on Tuesday, could not relax the company. Eike Lotz, member of the negotiating commission, said that the claim for a legally binding collective agreement was primarily in the interest of the company and its permanently secured jobs.

A central point in the dispute is the desire of the employees after the introduction of Christmas and vacation pay, topics in which the fronts are hardened between the parties. The Swedish parent company Nibe, who took over Elmess in October 2022, will also be held responsible in this context. Aldag appeals to Nibe to have already introduced collective agreements at her other locations and also sees a corresponding obligation for the Uelzen work.

In the non -public works meeting, the wage increase was again discussed by 3.8 percent on January 1, 2025, as well as the payment of the inflation equalization premium. However, these offers were not considered sufficient to satisfy the employees.

The IG Metall announced that the strike on Northern Allee can be continued indefinitely at any time if the employer is not willing to give up his blockade content. Negotiations are on the brink and the uncertainty about the future of work relationships at Elmess leads to a tense situation.

The current developments in Uelzen once again illustrate the need for collective agreements in the metal industry and the legitimate claims of the employees for fair working conditions. The pressure from IG Metall is now greater than ever, and it remains to be seen how long the strike will take and which reactions will follow by the company management. The entire situation can best be represented as an expression of deeper dissatisfaction with the working and negotiation conditions that affect many employees in the region.

A good overview of the background of the current conflicts and the requirements of the union can be found in a report on www.az-online.de .