ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the far-reaching conflicts and differences between unions and employers concerning problems of work arising in the course of the introduction of new technologies. In the FRG it is generally assumed that the utilization of new technologies will cause a shift from decreasing, but still existing physical work burdens to mental and social stress. In the metal industry, a breakthrough occurred at the collective bargaining level with the 'new' general wage and salary agreement in North-Wurttemberg/North-Baden in 1988. The agreement aims, among other things, at the 'maintenance and broadening' of qualifications and is supposed to make it possible for individual employees to carry out a diverse range of functions. In 1990 the metal industry agreed to the introduction of the 35-hour week beginning in 1994. The agreement stipulates that work intensification through the shortening of work times should be prevented through special restrictions, and that performance should be defined and agreed upon at the enterprise level.
