Germany's largest trade union, IG Metall, has initiated a strike demanding a 5% wage increase and job security. The action, aimed at addressing cost-of-living pressures, affects approximately 3.7 million employees in Germany's metal and electrical engineering sectors, including major manufacturers such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Tata Steel. Employers have proposed a one-time payment of 1% of wages in July 2027 and a 1.3% wage increase starting July 2028, but the union views this as an effective pay cut and has rejected the offer. The strike is expected to last a week, with the union planning to announce participation numbers on Friday.