Press Release No. 08/2017 Textile Industry: Real Wages Rise, Partial Retirement Schemes Improved

Berlin – IG Metall and employers in the West German textile and apparel industry reached a collective bargaining agreement in Berlin early Thursday morning. “IG Metall has succeeded in securing a real wage increase for employees amid rising inflation and in improving the partial retirement program. In addition, compensation for apprentices will see a disproportionately large increase. The improved partial retirement program and the one-time payments will particularly benefit low-income workers,” said IG Metall negotiator Manfred Menningen.

For the 100,000 employees, wages will be increased in two stages by a total of 4.4 percent: by 2.7 percent effective August 1, 2017, and by an additional 1.7 percent effective September 1, 2018. For the months of February through July 2017, employees will receive monthly one-time payments totaling 320 euros. The vacation pay for 2017 will be increased by 2.5 percent, and by 2 percent in 2018.

In addition, apprenticeship wages will be significantly increased. They will rise by 30 euros as of August 1, 2017, and by another 30 euros per year of apprenticeship as of September 1, 2018. For the months of February through July 2017, there will be one-time monthly payments totaling 160 euros.

The bargaining parties have also agreed to increase the supplement for partial retirement. For employees entering partial retirement starting in 2017, the supplement will rise to 510 euros; for employees entering partial retirement in 2018, this amount will increase to 535 euros. The collective bargaining agreement has a term of 24 months and ends on January 31, 2019.

The pressure from companies with more than 14,000 workers participating in warning strikes had an effect, Menningen said. “With this agreement, employees receive a fair share of the industry’s economic success.”