German employers propose two percent

German metal industry employers have come forward with a concrete offer for the first time in the current round of negotiations between employers and unions in the industry.

The employers in the key region of Baden Württemberg, one of the richest in Germany, have offered a two-year deal with a 2% increase both this year and next.

The IG Metall union is asking for 6.5% this year and has stated that it will start warning strikes this month if the employers have not put a reasonable offer on the table. Inflation was 1.7% in February.