Pay freeze rejected


Germany’s IG Metall union and the central works council at car manufacturer Opel have rejected a proposal from the employers that the industry-wide 4.3% pay increase, due last month, should be postponed for Opel’s German plants. 


The Opel operations, together with the UK vehicle builder Vauxhall, were taken over in August 2017 by the French motor manufacturer PSA which makes Peugeot and Citroen vehicles. 


Since then, the new owners have sought to drive down costs, pushing unions to make concessions in Spain and Poland.