Press Release Textiles and Apparel: Higher Wages and Better Retirement Options for Employees

Eitorf/Frankfurt am Main – A 4.9 percent pay increase and better retirement options for unionized workers in the West German textile and apparel industry: In the fourth round of negotiations, employers and IG Metall settled their collective bargaining dispute early Friday morning in Eitorf (North Rhine-Westphalia) after 12 hours of talks. Prior to this, a total of 22,000 workers had participated in warning strikes and protests.

IG Metall negotiator Miriam Bürger said: “This collective bargaining agreement ensures the long-term viability of jobs at these companies. It was only thanks to the strong commitment of IG Metall members that the necessary progress was made at the negotiating table. They have thus successfully and democratically fought for better working conditions and a better future for both employees and the companies.” The bargaining parties agreed to a commitment to discuss collective bargaining benefits exclusively for IG Metall members.

Following a one-time payment of 275 euros in July 2025, employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement will receive two increases in their monthly pay: starting in August, a 2.0 percent increase and at least 60 euros more; and starting in October 2026, an additional 2.9 percent increase and at least 80 euros. For apprentices, compensation will increase in parallel by a one-time payment of 137.50 euros, as well as by 25 and 35 euros per month. The new collective bargaining agreement will be in effect for 27 months.

Miriam Bürger: “More money is the necessary response to rising prices.” The minimum increases will better support employees with below-average incomes. Bürger: “Those earning less than 3,000 euros a month will receive a disproportionately larger increase in the future thanks to the social component.”

The union also counts the expansion of partial retirement as a success: With an increased quota, more older employees can now retire early. In addition, the employer’s supplementary payment will increase by a total of 50 euros to 800 euros by 2026. Bürger: “The improved partial retirement program is the right response to the burdens faced by older colleagues.”

The collective bargaining agreement applies immediately to 51,000 employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement in the West German textile and apparel industry. In total, the industry employs 100,000 workers across a range of sectors, from traditional textile manufacturers and automotive suppliers to manufacturers of hygiene and medical products and technical textiles.