WIESBADEN (dpa-AFX) - After two days of negotiations, the collective bargaining partners in the German chemical and pharmaceutical industry have adjourned the second round without a result. "What the employers' side has presented is still too far from being a substantial offer," explained IG-BCE chief negotiator Oliver Heinrich on Wednesday after the talks in Wiesbaden.

The employers' chief negotiator, Matthias Bürk, stated that the positions were "simply still far apart on many key issues". At the same time, Bürk called for a constructive search for a compromise to continue: "Both sides have a duty to ensure progress in the negotiations."

Next round of negotiations at the end of June

The third round of negotiations at federal level is scheduled for June 26 and 27 in Bad Breisig near Bonn. This is the last opportunity to reach a result before the end of the peace period on June 30. Before the third round, the union wants to emphasize its demands with nationwide action days on June 18 and 19.

The IG BCE is demanding a seven percent pay rise for the approximately 585,000 employees in the sector, citing the loss of purchasing power due to inflation on the one hand and the recovery in the chemical industry on the other.

In addition, the union wants to implement regulations for the first time in a large collective agreement that put union members in a better position than other employees. According to the IG BCE, measurable benefits could include more time off, more money or better social and health protection for union members.

According to the union, both sides have come closer on this second central demand for a collective bargaining member benefit in terms of time or money. "We are seriously discussing concrete alternatives," reported IG-BCE negotiator Heinrich. But they are still a long way from reaching a solution./ben/DP/stw