PRESS RELEASE Collective Bargaining Agreement: More Pay for Workers in the Textile and Apparel Industry West

Billerbeck – The collective bargaining dispute in the West German textile and apparel industry has been resolved. Following massive warning strikes, IG Metall and the employers’ association reached an agreement early Saturday morning on a combination of permanent wage increases and one-time payments.

“This collective bargaining agreement provides tangible relief for workers’ wallets in the face of inflation,” says IG Metall negotiator Miriam Bürger. “Furthermore, the agreement is an important step toward securing the future of these companies: Whether employees are willing to stay in the textile and apparel industry for the long term depends on what they have in their wallets at the end of the month.”

Wages for the approximately 100,000 workers in the industry will rise by 4.8 percent starting in October 2023 and by an additional 3.3 percent starting in September 2024. However, wages will increase by at least 130 euros in the first phase and by at least 100 euros in the second phase, which means that the increase in the lower wage groups will actually exceed the agreed-upon 4.8 and 3.3 percent, respectively. This also applies to apprentices. In addition, employees will receive a tax- and contribution-free inflation adjustment bonus of 1,500 euros: 1,000 euros in April or May 2023 and another 500 euros in April 2024 (trainees will receive half of each amount).

In addition, the partial retirement program will be extended and improved. The collective bargaining agreement will remain in effect for 24 months. The outcome of the negotiations still requires approval from the relevant committees.

The agreement was reached on the fourth attempt following a long overnight session. Prior to that, more than 24,000 employees had participated in warning strikes over the course of several weeks. On the day of the negotiations, 800 metalworkers demonstrated in support of their demands outside the negotiation venue in Billerbeck, North Rhine-Westphalia. “It was our colleagues’ warning strikes that made this outcome possible in the first place. We owe them a huge thank you for their dedication,” said IG Metall negotiator Bürger.

The collective bargaining agreement coincides with a historic date: exactly 25 years ago to the day, on April 1, 1998, the Textile and Apparel Union and IG Metall merged. Since then, the interests of textile workers have been represented by IG Metall.