Metal unions agree common front

European unions in the metalworking sector have agreed not to reach any pay agreements which are lower than a combination of inflation plus the increase in productivity.

The commitment is contained in the "Berlin Manifesto" of the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF), agreed last month. Jürgen -Peters, president of the IG Metall union, said the aim was to create a counterweight to the "wave of blackmail" from employers calling on unions constantly to undercut one another.

The manifesto is in line with existing EMF policy on pay negotiations, but with employers and governments constantly looking for increases little above inflation, it has often proved difficult for national unions to implement the policy.