After seven months of negotiations, employees, together with IG Metall, have secured a collective bargaining agreement for the first time at the premium bicycle manufacturer Canyon in Koblenz. 97 percent of IG Metall members at Canyon approved the negotiated agreement.
Workweek Reduced from 40 to 37.5 Hours
Working hours will be gradually reduced from the current 40 hours to 37.5 hours per week by 2028.
Higher pay – linked to the metal industry collective agreement
Starting May 1, 2024, employees will receive a 3.3 percent pay increase in the form of a monthly collective bargaining bonus. Monthly wages will be linked to the development of the regional collective bargaining agreements in the metal and electrical industries. This means that Caynon employees will receive the percentage increases from the metal industry’s collective bargaining agreements.
In addition, there will be a collectively bargained vacation and Christmas bonus ranging from 750 to 3,250 euros, depending on length of service, which will also increase in line with the regional collective bargaining agreement for the metal and electrical industries.
In addition to an inflation adjustment bonus of 2,000 euros already paid out this year, full-time employees will receive an additional lump-sum inflation adjustment payment of 1,000 euros in 2024, based on the collective bargaining agreement.
First-Ever Days Off for Menstrual Leave
Starting in 2024, Canyon will grant two additional days off to care for family members and children up to age 12. Beginning in 2025, the number of days off will increase to four days per year.
A first: For the first time, the IG Metall negotiating committee has agreed in a collective bargaining agreement to two additional days of leave for menstruation as well as free menstrual products—as a sign of gender equality. Starting in 2025, there will be four days of menstrual leave.
“We have included additional days off for caring for children and family members in need of care in the collective bargaining agreement, which is an important step toward better work-life balance,” explains Nena Ritzdorf, a member of the IG Metall negotiating team and a member of the works council at Canyon. “In addition, we’ve agreed to provide menstrual leave for menstruating colleagues, which helps break the taboo surrounding menstruation. In my opinion, this is an important step toward raising awareness of women’s needs and promoting their health and well-being in the workplace.”
Permanent Employment After Training
Canyon guarantees its apprentices and dual-track students permanent employment under the collective bargaining agreement upon successful completion of their apprenticeship or studies, offering long-term prospects and stability in their professional development. This aspect also further enhances Canyon’s appeal as an employer.
“With these collective bargaining agreements, Canyon’s employees and the company are making history, as they are the first to conclude a collective bargaining agreement in the bike industry in Germany,” explains Ali Yener, chief representative of IG Metall and lead negotiator at Canyon. “However, this outcome would not have been possible without the strong support of IG Metall members at Canyon.”
For more details and background on the collective bargaining agreement at Canyon: yeswecanyon.de
