BERLIN, Jan 29 (Reuters) - German engineering union IG Metall called on 51,000 workers to stage brief walkouts on Friday in a bid to increase pressure on employers in a row over pay and working hours.
IG Metall said on Thursday it had called on workers in 76 different companies across Germany to stage walkouts of up to three hours. It said Friday's action would affect carmaker Audi and auto components group Kolbenschmidt Pierburg .
The union said about 6,000 workers had already taken part in stoppages on Thursday, including some at DaimlerChrysler AG's plants after a truce period with employers ended at midnight on Wednesday.
The union also said it would continue stoppages next week.