German engineering workers dealt Helmut Kohl's right wing government another slap in the face, as bosses almost doubled their 3.3 per cent 'final offer' for this year in response to threats of massive strike action.
After public workers' union OTV had cent, it was dear tha pic won more than 5 Metall, Europe's biggest union, would not settle for less. And workers in the pace-setting region of Baden Wurtemburg actually won 5.8 per cent for this year. Setting the rate This is likely to set the settlement rate not just for other engineering workers, but also in sec tors such as construction and media, where action had already begun.
The immediate gorernmen reachon was to warn of economic doom and gloom - partculary in the cast. Kont made it clear that any price paid from the nassive profits notched up b German industry in the 1980s but out of workers' pockets. Government investment in eastern Germany is likely to be cut The dea: was a steriorward in the send that :: int co: a clear messine • stric asson ets results. But rather like the TV deal, it wasn't so good in terme of what could have been won. Union leaders withdren any threat of action as soon as Kohl Caught out by workers' lightback: Kohl the original offers were improved on.
Relief
The bosses' real view was summarised in the irancial Times 'Generally the deal was ing a damaging and possibly prolonged sinke The messiv 3 per cent that the des will mean in 1003 could semain have been im proved or Given all-cut ac hon. there was a gand chance of winning the orena: 9 per cent claim OTt members voted not to accept the deal that their leaders agreed to -union president Moni ka Wulf-Mathies said 'We simply did not expect this mood'. She could now could get a nasty shock in forth. coming elections for her post. Likewise, IG Metall members are unlikely to be content with their deal for long. Problems They have neari doubled the bosses' initial offer through taking warning action -union leaders are likely to have problems persuading them not to go back for more. A cam paign for further action could be launched from union conferences this summer.
Combined with mounting anger ate enging dele queues in eastern Germany, the militancy seen in these | warning strikes could turn Germany from the model of 'social peace in Europe to a centre for a growing fightback. £7000 development fund. to be completed by next November. The fund drive has two objectives - to stabilise the fortnightly production of the paper, and to buy new equipment.
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We have entered a period of rapid political changes. domestically and internationally. It is now clear that the semi-collapse of Stalinism has completely failed to stabilise international capitalism.
The strikes in Germany, the uprising in Los Angeles and other US cities, and the turmoil in Thailand are indicators of the period we are entering. debates the consequences of the electoral defeat. in this political situation the need for revolutionary marxist ideas in greater than ever. been going up. Help us ensure that we continue to go forward.
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