Background information

In March 2020, the Chemicals and Mine Workers Union (IGBCE) and the Employers of the Rubber Industry (ADK) met for negotiating a new collective agreement. Under the conditions of the COVID-19 outbreak, the collective bargaining partners negotiated via Skype and took a very fast decision aimed at safeguarding the businesses.

Content of measure

The collective bargaining process took place in a short digital meeting. Both sides, the IGBCE and ADK, were interested in a fast outcome. Industrial actions or campaigns did not take place. The partners agreed to extend the collective wage agreement from March 2018 to last until 31 March 2021 and to not negotiate a wage rise. For compensation and for mitigating any financial hardships due to COVID-19, they agreed on a one-time premium of €200 for full-time workers and of €100 for apprentices. The premium for part time workers varies depending on the number of hours worked.

Use of measure

There is no information on the use of the measure.

Contents

• Other topics

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Employees in standard employment Workers in non-standard forms of employment	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Social partners jointly	Employer

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Social partners jointly
• Main level of involvement: Sectoral or branch level

Involvement

This was a standard collective bargaining procedure under unususal circumstances. A particular monitoring or assessment procedure was not agreed; also, there was no unusual involvement of the collective bargaining partners. Under the Works Constitution, the payment of the premium is monitored by the works council.

Views and reactions

In face of the COVID-19 lock-down, IGBCE and ADK shared similar views and easily agreed on the compromise: the employers opposed a wage rise and the trade unions called for a premium instead.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 01 April 2018: Collective agreement rubber industry
• 01 April 2019: Employers on collective agreement