Formula May End West German Strike

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30125, 8 May 1963, Page 15

Formula May End West German Strike

(A Z PA-Reuter—Copyright) BONN, May 7. A compromise formula to end the gruel* ling wage dispute in West Germany’s metal industry was reached in Bona early this morning—after nearly 12 hours of talks.

The compromise, reached between top representatives of the trade union and the employers’ federation, has now to be approved by both region*’ negotiating committees The agreement provides for a 5 per cent, pay increase for the West German metal workers effective from April 1 this year. Another 2 per cent will be added to the rise on April 1, 1964 Erhard’s Reqnest The West German Economics Minister, Professor Ludwig Erhard, asked the two sides to the Ministry for talks. The metal workers’ union was asking for an 8 per cent increase while the employers offered only 35 per cent Both sides reluctantly reduced their demands. The labour dispute had led to about 400.000 metal workers being locked out in south-west Germany last week after toe union began

strikes at selected plants in the area to support their pay demands. It was the biggest lock-out in this country for more than years Tne snowball strike threatened to extend also to North Rhine - Westphalia, which embraces the industrial Ruhr area, while in the other West German areas the pay talks had been dragging on without success. Altogether al out 3.500.000 meta) workers were concerned by the wage dispute. The strike and lock-out action in the south-west had threatened to make the Wert German car industry idle bee-use the Row of vital accessories was stopped. Union workers are expected to resurne work next Monday. Professor Erhard told reporters after the compromise was announced today that the German people could bo relieved now because a disaster had been averted.