WOLFSBURG, Germany. Jan 24: Germany's largest trade union. IG Metall. has threatened to call its members out on warning strikes before the end of January unless employers softened their stance in metal industry pay talks, reports Reuter.

The first stoppages would happen as soon as a ban on strikes during the negotiation, period finished On January 28. IG Metall leader Klaus Zwickel told a union conference in Wolfsburg on Saturday, earlier reports said the warning strikes might start in February.

The. union has demanded a 5.5 per cent pay rise for 1994 and a reduction of the working week to 35 hours for the 25.00.000 workers In the metal and electrical industry.

But it has >already said it would accept a lower pay increase if firms in the sector agreed to guarantee jobs.

Employers want the reintroduction of the 40-hour week and cuts in holiday time and holiday bonuses.