Union leaders called for a strike at several factories in Eastern Germany in order to reduce the workweek from 38 hours to 35. Employers refused to grant workers a shorter workweek, stating that the extra hours were necessary to attract investment. Public opinion turned against the strike because it hurt many companies. The union has decided to negotiate with individual companies over hours.
See "Union Leaders End a Strike for Shorter Hours in Eastern Germany", The New York Times, June 29, 2003