The Verdi trade union is getting ready for the next big round of collective bargaining. The Hesse collective bargaining commission was the first district to call for an hourly wage increase of EUR 2.50 in retail and mail order. Depending on the wage group, this corresponds to an increase of between 8 and 20 percent, the state trade department announced on Thursday in Frankfurt on request. In wholesale and foreign trade, the union demands 13 percent more money, but at least 400 euros a month. Collective bargaining for the approximately 3.8 million employees in retail is conducted regionally. In Hesse, the first date has been agreed for April 24th. (dpa)