Unions and Deutsche Bank have reached a pay agreement for Postbank after four rounds of negotiations. About 9,000 employees will receive a pay increase in two stages.
A last-minute compromise has averted strikes at Postbank between unions and management. The ver.di union announced the suspension of a referendum on potential work stoppages, as the new pay deal spans 28 months.
Immediate Pay Increase of 4.5%
This agreement raises salaries for the approximately 9,000 employees in two steps. Initially, all employees will see a flat increase of €175, which benefits lower-income groups significantly. On average, this corresponds to a 4.5% pay raise, as calculated by ver.di, with a subsequent 2.9% pay increase scheduled for July 2027.
Moreover, trainee wages will increase by a total of €150, and agreements for their future employment have been extended until 2028. According to ver.di, the sales network has been secured with at least 300 branches and 13 digital advisory centers until March 2028. Additionally, job protection has been extended until the end of 2028.
Decline in Strikes
In 2025, the number of strikes in Germany declined, both in frequency and duration. According to the Economic and Social Science Institute (WSI) of the Hans Böckler Foundation, there were 261 conflicts—25 fewer than the previous year—engaging around 552,000 workers, a reduction of 360,000 compared to 2024. Consequently, fewer workdays were lost overall.
The decline can be attributed primarily to the normalization of consumer prices following the high inflation caused by the energy crisis in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, there had been 312 labor disputes, leading to approximately 1.5 million lost workdays, with unions advocating strongly for substantial pay raises to mitigate the impact of rising costs on employees.
Additionally, in 2025, no pay negotiations took place within the dominant metal and electrical industry, which typically significant influences strike statistics due to its 3.7 million employees.
Bank Describes “Balanced Agreement”
Referring to the multi-billion profits of its parent company, Deutsche Bank, ver.di had initially demanded an 8% raise for employees over a 12-month period, with a minimum increase of €300. Trainees were to receive an additional €200.
After three rounds of negotiations and warning strikes, the union declared discussions unsuccessful and initiated a referendum. However, after the compromise in the fourth round, the referendum was no longer necessary. Employees are now expected to decide on the acceptance of the pay outcome by July 24, as stated by negotiator Jan Duscheck.
Deutsche Bank characterized the agreement as a “balanced conclusion.” It provides security for employees while allowing necessary flexibility for the restructuring of the retail banking business. The financial outlook remains unaffected by the agreement. The negotiations also involved other unions, such as Komba and DPVKOM.
