Collective Bargaining Agreement for Retail Workers in Bremen and Lower Saxony Strikes Deal
In a landmark decision, the United Services Trade Union (ver.di) has reached an agreement with employers in the retail sector in Lower Saxony and Bremen, providing a much-needed boost to employees facing rising prices. The agreement, which follows over a year of negotiations and strikes, is considered a significant step for employees in the region.
The collective agreement, set to last for 36 months, offers a degree of stability to employees in the sector. Sabine Gatz, ver.di negotiator, commented that the agreement is a testament to the trade union's strength and solidarity in fighting for fair working conditions. She further stated that employees will have more money in their pockets due to the agreement.
The agreement includes a retroactive wage increase of 5.3 percent, effective from October 1, 2023, and another wage increase of 4.7 percent, effective from May 1, 2024. From May 1, 2025, an additional 40 euros plus a 1.8 percent wage increase will be implemented.
Trainees in the trade sector will also benefit from disproportionately increased remunerations, although specific details about the exact tariff changes are not yet publicly available. As of October 1, 2023, no detailed information on exact tariff changes for trainees in the trade sector in Lower Saxony and Bremen has been made available. However, recent tariff agreements in related sectors include inflation compensation payments and percentage wage increases, albeit not specifically covering trainee tariffs in the trade sector for these regions.
Employers will also be required to pay an inflation compensation bonus of 1,000 euros from June 1, 2024 (pro rata for part-time employees). From January 1, 2025, employees will receive an additional 120 euros in collective pension provision annually.
Sabine Gatz noted that the agreement provides noticeable relief for employees in the face of rising prices. She emphasised that the agreement is a clear demonstration of the trade union and its members' success in enforcing fair working conditions. The agreement is expected to provide a significant boost to the retail sector in Lower Saxony and Bremen, benefiting both employees and employers.
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