Even if it has been going on for eleven months Trade disputes in retail Although no agreement seems to be in sight yet, the chances of wage increases for employees have become closer: the German Trade Association (HDE) and its regional associations enable wage increases without a collective agreement. The voluntary wage increases by employers can then be credited towards a later collective bargaining agreement.
The Verdi union is calling for a wage increase of at least 2.50 euros per hour for retail employees in all regions. There are additional requirements specific to each state. Over 60 collective bargaining negotiations have already failed and the employers’ last offer was not accepted, as a statement from the HDE made clear on Wednesday. With the concession of the HDE, “from the new tariff year onwards, increases in collective wages up to the upper limit of a maximum of ten percent are possible,” according to the announcement.
The optional wage and salary increase of a maximum of ten percent covers all collectively agreed retail member companies in all collective bargaining areas and can only be implemented at the beginning of the new collective bargaining year at the earliest.
“After eleven months of collective bargaining disputes with more than 60 rounds of negotiations nationwide, we have come to the conclusion that ver.di unfortunately has no interest in a timely conclusion in the retail sector. This is a bitter realization for us, especially since we had improved our offer several times,” said HDE tariff managing director Steven Haarke. “We continue to strive for an early settlement of the collective bargaining dispute. To achieve this, the ver.di union must finally give up its blockade stance.”