Catherwood LibraryILR School

In light of weeks of grueling negotiations and days-long walkouts stemming from unionized German factory workers’ demands for better work-life balance in the workplace, a landmark decision has been reached in favor of German labor, translating into an immense economic boom for Germany as factory orders are higher than ever. The aforementioned German factory workers belong to IG Metall, the country’s largest and most powerful trade union. IG Metall was able to win its members a 4.3 percent pay increase as well as more free time, which was the most important objective of the workers’ grievances from the onset of their dissatisfaction. The end of employers’ battle with IG Metall representatives over bettering employees’ working conditions seems not only to have furthered the union’s interests, but also the companies’ as well as the country’s economic interests.