The German construction sector faces its first nationwide strike since 2002 after employers rejected a deal that independent negotiators had hoped would solve their dispute over the wages of some 930,000 workers.
The IG BAU union had previously said that it would take industrial action if employers rejected the arbitrated decision, which it had accepted in late April.
That decision would have provided for an increase in income of 250 euros per month from May 1, 2024, with a further increase on April 1, 2025, of 4.15% in western Germany and 4.95% in eastern Germany. It would run for 24 months until the end of March 2026.
Germany's construction sector is already struggling with a rapid rise in interest rates and costs, putting an end to a years-long surge fueled by low rates and strong demand.
