According to Reuters, Germany’s metalworking and engineering union, IG Metall, has negotiated a 3.5% pay increase at one company, and this could form a basis for negotiations at other companies.

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Nationally the union has demanded a 5% pay rise, but the deal at precision measurement instrument maker, Mahr GmbH, a company with 700 workers, could be a model for other medium-sized or so-called ‘Mittelstand’ companies.


The deal is unlikely to influence negotiations at the major vehicle or component manufacturers.


Warning strikes at automakers continue.


DaimlerChrysler’s Sindelfingen plant was stopped for four hours on Tuesday when 15,000 workers went home. Workers at Porsche also downed tools.

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