Employees in the West German textile and apparel industry will receive a pay raise despite the COVID-19 crisis: a tax-free COVID-19 bonus of 325 euros for this year. Next year, wages will increase by 1.3 percent in February and by an additional 1.4 percent in October 2022. Vacation pay will rise by 2 percent in 2022.
Apprentices will receive the full COVID-19 bonus of 325 euros in 2021. Apprenticeship wages will increase by 30 euros per month in August 2022.
Collective Bargaining Agreement on Partial Retirement Extended and Improved
In addition, IG Metall was able to extend and improve the collective bargaining-based partial retirement program. Employers will contribute more toward the partial retirement pay. The supplemental payment will increase by 30 euros to 630 euros per month in July 2021, and then to 650 euros in July 2022.
In addition, employers will increase their contributions to a fund for training and continuing education from 12.50 euros to 15 euros per employee per year in two steps.
The collective bargaining agreement is valid for 25 months.
A Noticeable Increase in Pay for Employees
The IG Metall negotiating committee reached this agreement in the early morning hours after more than 14 hours of negotiations in what is now the fourth round of talks since December.
After the third round of negotiations at the end of January failed to yield any progress, IG Metall called on textile workers last week to participate in warning strikes and protests. Nearly 7,000 workers at 65 plants took part—despite the pandemic and snow-related chaos.
“The workers have done a great job under enormous strain during the COVID-19 crisis. This agreement is a recognition of their dedication,” explained Manfred Menningen, IG Metall’s chief negotiator for the textile and apparel industry. “Under extremely difficult conditions, we have succeeded in securing a tangible real wage increase. This boosts purchasing power and thus contributes to stabilizing economic development in Germany.”
