MUNICH/HAMBURG (dpa-AFX) - The exploratory talks in the metal and electrical industry are going constructively, but are tough on the core issue of money. "The employers are also very interested in settling the wage dispute. We are committed to finding a solution," said Horst Ott, head of the Bavarian IG Metall trade union and chief negotiator: "Everyone at the table is aware of their responsibility."

On Monday, the bargaining parties from the Bavarian and coastal bargaining districts will jointly attempt to reach a pilot agreement for 3.9 million employees in the metal and electrical industry nationwide. They are not yet on the home stretch, said Ott. There are a few issues where a solution is gradually coming into view. "But we are miles apart on the core issue of money."

High expectations among employees

The district manager and chief negotiator for IG Metall Küste, Daniel Friedrich, said that the expectations of union members were high. IG Metall had made its 7 percent demand in May, when the economic outlook seemed even better. If the round fails on Monday, IG Metall is prepared for a further escalation, says Friedrich: every district has submitted plans for 24-hour strikes to the union headquarters in Frankfurt.

The union is demanding a seven percent wage increase for a contract term of one year. The employers are offering a total of 3.6 percent more in stages for a term of 27 months after nine zero months. Incremental increases and contract terms often played an important role in previous wage agreements.

Flexible arrangements in exchange for promises

Employers point to the constant stream of bad news from companies. Ott, however, said: "When companies get into difficulties, we have always found a solution. But we are talking about a collective agreement."

In the ongoing exploratory talks, individual topics are being discussed in small groups. For example, exceptions for companies that are doing badly, specifically those that generate less than 2.3 percent return on sales. The employers want to extend such exemptions.

In principle, there is agreement that wages for trainees should increase disproportionately. However, there is no concrete figure yet.

First pilot test with two collective bargaining districts

For the first time, two collective bargaining districts are jointly attempting to reach a pilot agreement. In previous years, there have been pilots in Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia, and in Bavaria in 2013. The proposal for the joint round was made by IG Metall.

In Hamburg, IG Metall is planning a large rally on Monday with Christiane Benner, 1st Chairwoman. Negotiations are due to begin at 4.30 pm. Friedrich expects that it will definitely go on "until after midnight". If an agreement is reached, the negotiators, Benner and Gesamtmetall President Stefan Wolf will inform the press at a joint press conference.

"Full throttle again" with the warning strikes

IG Metall intends to continue calling warning strikes until a pilot agreement is reached. "We are going full throttle once again to show the employers that we are serious," said Ott.

The late shift at BMW's largest European plant in Dingolfing was due to finish work two and a half hours earlier on Friday. Ott wants to speak to the strikers outside the plant. In the Allgäu region, all shifts at AGCO Fendt, Robert Bosch and Liebherr Aerospace are to end their shifts two or three hours earlier. In total, IG Metall Bayern is calling on employees in 36 companies to go on warning strike./rol/DP/jha