1956–2025 IG Metall’s collective bargaining achievements

1956
Metal and electrical industries: 1.5% increase in wages and salaries; working hours reduced from 48 to 45 hours. 6.5% wage compensation for the reduction in working hours.

1957
Metal and electrical industries: A 16-week strike in Schleswig-Holstein for continued pay during sick leave. Agreement to reduce the workweek to 44 hours starting in 1959.
Iron and Steel Industry: 6% increase in wages and salaries. Workweek reduced from 48 to 45 hours.

1958
Metal and electrical industries: 6% increase in wages and salaries.
Iron and steel industry: 5.3% increase in wages and salaries. Starting in January 1959, working hours were reduced from 45 to 44 hours, with a 2.3% wage adjustment to compensate for the reduction in working hours.

1959
Metal and electrical industries: 4.6% increase in wages and salaries. Workweek reduced from 45 to 44 hours. 2.3% wage compensation for the reduction in working hours. Iron and steel industries: 10.9% increase in wages and salaries.

1960
Metal and electrical industries: 8.5% increase in wages and salaries. Starting in July 1961, a 5% increase in wages and salaries. Agreement on the gradual reduction of working hours (see subsequent years through 1967).
Iron and steel industry: 8.5% increase in wages and salaries. Starting in July 1961, a 5% increase in wages and salaries. Starting in January 1962, a 4.8% increase in wages and salaries, and working hours reduced from 44 to 42 hours.

1962
Metal and electrical industries: 6% increase in wages and salaries. Working hours reduced from 44 to 42.5 hours. 3.5% wage compensation for the reduction in working hours. Vacation extended by 3 to 6 days (vacation length is no longer based on length of service but on age).
Iron and steel industry: 5% increase in wages and salaries.

1963
Metal and electrical industries: 5% increase in wages and salaries. Starting in April 1964, a 2% increase in wages and salaries. Iron and steel industries: 3% increase in wages and salaries. Starting in May 1964, a 4% increase in wages and salaries.

1964
Metal and electrical industries: 6% increase in wages and salaries. Working hours reduced from 42.5 to 41.25 hours. 3% wage compensation for the reduction in working hours. Vacation time extended by 1 to 2 days.

1965
Metal and electrical industries: 3% increase in wages and salaries. Additional vacation pay of 30%.
Iron and steel industry: 7.5% increase in wages and salaries. Starting in July 1966, a 5% increase in wages and salaries, and working hours reduced from 42 to 40 hours.

1966
Metal and electrical industries: 6% increase in wages and salaries. 5% increase in wages and salaries starting in January 1967—of which 3.1% is wage compensation for the reduction in working hours.

1967
Metal and electrical industries: Working hours reduced from 41.5 to 40 hours.
Iron and steel industry: 3.3% increase in wages and salaries.

1968
Metal and electrical industries: 4% increase in wages and salaries. Agreement on protection against rationalization measures.
Iron and steel industry: 5% increase in wages and salaries. Starting in March 1969, a 2% increase in wages and salaries.

1969
Metal and electrical industries: 3% increase in wages and salaries in the spring. 8% increase in wages and salaries in the fall. Collective bargaining agreements on the protection of shop stewards and youth representatives.
Iron and steel industry: 11% increase in wages and salaries.

1970
Metal and electrical industries: An average 15.3% increase in wages and salaries. Capital-forming benefits (vL): 26 DM per month (13 DM each for apprentices). More vacation time due to Saturdays off not being counted toward vacation days.
Iron and steel industry: 10% increase in wages and salaries.

1971
Metal and electrical industries: Net pay increased by 180 DM for 3 months. Vacation extended by 1 day.
Iron and steel industry: 6% increase in wages and salaries effective February 1972. One-time payment of 200 DM.

1972
Metal and electrical industries: 7.5% increase in wages and salaries. Guarantee of a 13th month’s pay (10 to 30% depending on length of service). Vacation extended by 1 to 2 days.

1973
Metal and electrical industries: 8.5% increase in wages and salaries. Income protection and protection against dismissal for older workers. Agreement on the payment of account maintenance fees.
Iron and Steel Industry: January: 9.2% increase in wages and salaries on average. One-time payment of 100 DM. Starting in December, 11% increase in wages and salaries.

1974
Metal and Electrical Industry: Wages and salaries increased by an average of 11.6%. Guarantee of a 13th month’s salary increased to 10–40% depending on length of service. Additional vacation pay increased to 50%. Vacation extended by 2 working days. Strike in the Unterweser region over retirement benefits.
Iron and steel industry: 9% increase in wages and salaries. One-time payment of 2 × 300 DM. 1975 Metal and electrical industry: 6.8% increase in wages and salaries.
Iron and steel industry: 5% increase in wages and salaries. One-time payment of 25 DM.

1976
Metal and electrical industry: 5.4% increase in wages and salaries. Vacation extended by 1 workday. Capital-forming benefits increased to 39 DM (apprentices: 19.50 DM).
Iron and steel industry: 6% increase in wages and salaries.

1977
Metal and electrical industries: 6.9% increase in wages and salaries. Guarantee of a 13th month’s salary increased to 20–50% depending on length of service.
Iron and steel industry: 4% increase in wages and salaries. One-time payment of 200 DM.

1978
Metal and electrical industries: 5% increase in wages and salaries. In some collective bargaining regions: agreement to secure job classification and reclassification. Strike and lockout in Northern Württemberg/Northern Baden. The result: see 1979.
Iron and steel industry: After a 6-week strike in North Rhine-Westphalia: 30 days of vacation starting in 1981. 4% increase in wages and salaries.

1979
Metal and electrical industries: Vacation time is extended according to a phased plan: to 30 days for everyone. Wages and salaries increased by 4.3%.

1980
Metal and Electrical Industry: 6.8% increase in wages and salaries. One-time payment of 30 to 165 DM for lower wage groups. Capital-forming benefits (vL) increase to 52 DM (26 DM for apprentices). 1 to 2 additional days of vacation.
Iron and steel industry: 6.8% increase in wages and salaries.

1981
Metal and electrical industries: 4.9% increase in wages and salaries, plus 160 DM each for February and March.
Iron and steel industry: 4.3% increase in wages and salaries. One-time payment of 150 DM.

1982
Metal and electrical industries: 4.2% increase in wages and salaries, plus 120 DM for February. Vacation time for 18- to 25-year-olds increases by 2 days—now 30 days of vacation.
Iron and steel industry: 4.2% increase in wages and salaries. Starting in February 1983, a 0.6% increase in wages and salaries.

1983
Metal and electrical industries: 3.2% increase in wages and salaries. Workers under 18 now also have 30 working days of vacation (phased plan from 1979). Follow-up agreement on capital-forming benefits (vL).
Iron and steel industry: 2% increase in wages and salaries in April and 3.2% increase in October.

1984
Metal and Electrical Industry: 3.3% increase in wages and salaries. One-time payment of 250 DM (strikes in North Württemberg/North Baden and Hesse demanding a reduction in the weekly workweek). Collective bargaining agreements on early retirement in all bargaining regions.
Iron and steel industry: 5.26% increase in wages and salaries. Working hours reduced from 40 to 38 hours. 3.3% increase in January 1985 and 2% increase in February 1986.

1985
Metal and electrical industries: Reduction of the weekly workweek from 40 to 38.5 hours, with a 3.9% wage adjustment to compensate for the reduction in working hours and a 2% increase in wages and salaries effective April 1.

1986
Metal and Electrical Industry: 4.4% increase in wages and salaries. For April: 230 DM. Increase in apprenticeship stipends by 60% of the increase amount for wage group 1.1987
Metal and electrical industries: 3.7% increase in wages, salaries, and apprenticeship wages.

1988
Metal and electrical industries: 2% increase in wages, salaries, and apprenticeship stipends. Workweek reduced to 37.5 hours. 2.7% wage compensation for the reduction in working hours.
Iron and steel industry: 2% increase in wages and salaries in March and 4.1% in November. Working hours reduced from 38 to 36.5 hours. Starting in August 1989, a 2% increase in wages and salaries. 1989: As of April 1, working hours were reduced to 37 hours. A 1.4% wage adjustment for the reduction in working hours and a 2.5% increase in wages, salaries, and apprenticeship stipends.

1989
Effective April 1, working hours were reduced to 37 hours. A 1.4% wage adjustment for the reduction in working hours
and a 2.5% increase in wages, salaries, and apprenticeship stipends.

1990
Metal and electrical industries: 6% increase in wages and salaries. For April and May: 215 DM each. Increase in apprenticeship wages by 70 to 90 DM. The 36-hour workweek takes effect on April 1, 1993. The 35-hour workweek takes effect in October 1995 with full wage compensation. Starting in 1990, a 37-hour workweek for apprentices; further reductions in working hours also apply to them.
Iron and Steel Industry: Advance increase of the base wage by 0.26 DM and of salary group K/T 3 by 38 DM. On this basis, a 6% increase in wages and salaries. One-time payment of 550 DM. Effective April 1, 1995, working hours reduced from 36.5 to 35 hours (see 1994).

1991
Metal and Electrical Industry: 6.7% increase in wages and salaries. For April and May: 290 DM each; 100 to 140 DM increase in apprenticeship stipends. Increase in the lower wage groups. New Federal States: Wages, salaries, apprenticeship stipends, and special payments raised to West German levels by 1994. Reduction of the workweek to 38 hours by 1996. 50% vacation pay starting in 1995. 30 days of vacation starting in 1996.
Iron and Steel Industry: 5.9% increase in wages and salaries. September 1992: 0.16 DM increase in (base) wages and 23.00 DM increase in salary for K/T 3.1. November 1992: 0.13 DM increase in (base) wages. One-time payment of 175 DM.

1992
Metal and Electrical Industry – former West German states: 5.4% increase in wages and salaries. An additional 75 DM for apprentices. 5% increase in the special payment. Starting April 1, 1993, reduction of working hours to 36 hours. 3% increase in wages and salaries. An additional 50 DM in apprenticeship compensation. A further 5% increase in the special payment.
Iron and Steel Industry: 3.1% increase in wages and salaries in February 1993 and 3.4% increase in December 1993.

1993
Metal and Electrical Industry – New Federal States: Unlawful termination of collective bargaining agreements. Following 2- and 3-week strikes, respectively, in the metal industry in Saxony and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, as well as in the steel industry, a new phased plan was agreed upon for the harmonization of wages, salaries, and apprenticeship allowances by July 1, 1996.

1994
Metal and Electrical Industries – Former Federal States: A 2% increase in wages and salaries effective June 1, offset by a one-time 10% reduction in the special bonus. Vacation provisions come back into effect. Collective bargaining agreement on measures to secure employment. Obligation to hire trainees.
Iron and steel industry: 4.29% (wage compensation for reduced working hours). The 35-hour workweek is brought forward to May 1, 1994.

1995
Metal and Electrical Industry – Former West German States: Following a two-week strike in Bavaria: 3.4% increase in wages and salaries effective May 1, with an additional 3.6% effective November 1. 152.50 DM each for January, February, March, and April. 3.4% increase in apprenticeship wages starting in January, with an additional 3.6% increase starting in November. 35-hour workweek with full wage compensation (2.86%) effective October 1, 1995. Collective bargaining agreement extended for another 5 years.
Iron and Steel Industry: 4% increase in wages and salaries. One-time payment of 155 DM.

1996
Iron and steel industry: 1.8% increase in wages and salaries. One-time payment of 4 × 100 DM.

1997
Metal and electrical industry – former West German states: 1 . 5 % increase in wages and salaries effective April 1997, with an additional 2.5% effective in 1998. 200 DM for January, February, and March. Increase in apprenticeship wages. Guarantee of 100% continued pay in the event of illness. Collective bargaining agreements on special payments and vacation provisions are reinstated with modified calculations.
Metal and Electrical Industry – New Federal States: Based on the 1993 phased plan: Adoption of the wage increases achieved for the old federal states. Guaranteed continued pay in the event of illness and collective bargaining provisions for job security.
Textile and Apparel Industry – Former West German States: 1.5% increase in wages and salaries. Starting in July 1998, a 2.1% increase. Conclusion of a collective bargaining agreement to promote education, training, and continuing education.
Iron and Steel Industry: 2.6% increase in wages and salaries effective March 1998. One-time payment of 5 × 170 DM.

1999
Metal and Electrical Industry – Old Federal States: 3.2% increase in wages and salaries. One-time payment of 350 DM. One-time payment equal to 1% of the monthly pay for twelve months.
Metal and electrical industry – new federal states: Adoption of the terms based on a central agreement with a one-month delay. 175 DM for February. One-time payment equal to 1% of the monthly pay for eleven months.
Iron and Steel Industry: 3.3% increase in wages and salaries starting in June. One-time payment of 500 DM.
Textile and apparel industry – former West Germany: 3.1% increase in wages and salaries. One-time payments of 200 DM and 90 DM.

2000
Metal and electrical industry: 3% increase in wages and salaries effective May 1, with an additional 2.1% effective May 1, 2001. 330 DM for March and April. 3% increase for apprentices. Collective bargaining agreement on the “employment bridge”: Legal entitlement to partial retirement and employment of apprentices for 12 months. Phased introduction of the vL collective bargaining agreement in the new federal states.
Iron and Steel Industry: 3.3% increase in wages and salaries effective August. 2.2% increase in wages and salaries effective October 2001. One-time payment of 500 DM.
Textile and Apparel Industry – Former West Germany: 2.4% increase in wages and salaries starting in September, with an additional 2.4% increase starting in September 2001. Elimination of deductions from the annual bonus. 4.8% increase in vacation pay starting in 2001. Collective bargaining agreement on partial retirement, with apprentices to be retained for 12 months.
Wood and plastics processing industry – former West German states: 2.5% increase in wages and salaries starting in April, with an additional 2.5% increase starting in April 2001. Collective bargaining agreements on the employment bridge: legal entitlement to partial retirement and employment of trainees for 12 months starting in May 2002.

2001
Metal and electrical industry / Wood and plastics processing industry: Conclusion of a collective bargaining agreement on deferred compensation for retirement benefits. Establishment of a joint institution by IG Metall and Gesamtmetall for the inter-company pension plan “MetallRente.”

2002
Metal and Electrical Industry: Following strikes in Baden-Württemberg and Berlin/Brandenburg: 3.1% increase in wages and salaries effective June, plus a 0.9% ERA structural component. An additional 2.6% plus a 0.5% ERA structural component effective June 2003. For May 2002: €120; for apprentices: €28, €30, €33, or €35 per year of apprenticeship. Agreement on key points and a timeline for a framework collective bargaining agreement on compensation.
Iron and steel industry: 3.6% increase in wages and salaries starting in July. One-time payment of €50.
Wood and plastics processing industry: 3% increase in wages and salaries starting in June. For May: €25; trainees: €20.
Textile and apparel industry – former West German states: 3% increase in wages and salaries starting in October, with an additional 2.7% increase starting in December 2003. Increase in apprenticeship stipends by €30 starting in December. In 2004, vacation pay will increase by 5.7%.

2003
Wood and plastics processing industry: 2.5% increase in wages and salaries starting in July. €150 for April, May, and June. An additional €25 for apprentices starting in April.
Metal and electrical industries: 1.5% increase in wages and salaries plus a 0.7% ERA structural component starting in March 2004. An additional 2% plus a 0.7% ERA structural component starting in March 2005. Conclusion of a collective bargaining agreement on competitiveness and securing the business location, the “Pforzheim Agreement.”
Iron and Steel Industry: 1.7% increase in wages and salaries in January 2004 and 1.1% increase in November 2004. One-time payment of 4 × 35 €.

2004
Wood and plastics processing industry: 1.5% increase in wages and salaries starting in June. 30€ for April and May.
Textile and Apparel Industry – Former West German States: 1.8% increase in wages and salaries effective January 2006. For 2005, four one-time payments of €108 each; €50 each for apprentices. Conclusion of a collective bargaining agreement to promote employment and competitiveness.

2005
Iron and steel industry: 3.5% increase in wages and salaries starting in September. One-time payment of 500 €.
Wood and plastics processing industry: 1.54% increase in wages and salaries effective May. One-time payment of €40.
Textile and apparel industry – new federal states: 1.8% increase in wages and salaries starting in November. €100 each for October 2005, January, April, and July 2006. Apprentices: €50. Increase in vacation pay by €30. Extension of the collective bargaining agreement on partial retirement until December 31, 2007. Additional employer contribution to retirement savings of €100 (€230 total).

2006
Metal and Electrical Industry: 3% increase in wages and salaries effective June. For March through May: €310; trainees: €90. Conclusion of a collective bargaining agreement on retirement-related benefits (TV-avwL) and a collective bargaining agreement on training.
Textile and Apparel Industry – Former West German States: 2.5% increase in wages and salaries starting in November, with an additional 2% increase starting in May 2007. For May through October 2006: 2 × €170; trainees: 2 × €85. The collective bargaining agreement on additional vacation pay and special company payments remains unchanged; the collective bargaining agreement on partial retirement is extended.
Wood and plastics processing industry: 2.5% increase in wages and salaries starting in November. 2.5% increase for apprentices starting in August. For June through October: €350.
Iron and steel industry: 3.8% increase effective January 2007. One-time payments of 500 € and 750 €. Conclusion of a collective bargaining agreement on managing demographic change.

2007
Textile and apparel industry – new federal states: 3% increase in wages and salaries starting in June, with an additional 2.7% increase starting in July 2008. Increase in vacation pay to €263 for 2007 and to €270 for 2008. Extension of the collective bargaining agreement on partial retirement until March 31, 2009.
Metal and electrical industry: 4.1% increase in wages and training allowances starting in June, with an additional 1.7% effective June 2008. For April and May: €400; trainees: €125. Additional one-time payment of 0.7% of monthly income in August 2008.
Wood and plastics processing industry: 3.6% increase in wages and salaries starting in July, with an additional 2.5% increase starting in August 2008. For April through June: €300; for May through July 2008: €345.

2008
Textile and apparel industry: 3.6% increase in wages and salaries effective June. Apprentices: An additional €30 included in the pay scale. For April and May: €200; for apprentices: €100. The collective bargaining agreement on partial retirement is extended through December 31, 2009.
Metal and electrical industry: 2 . 1% increase in wages and salaries starting in February 2009 and 2.1% starting in May 2009. For November 2008, December 2008, and January 2009: €510; trainees €133. In September, a payment of €122; trainees €32. Conclusion of a collective bargaining agreement on flexible transition to retirement and a collective bargaining agreement on job security and job creation.
Iron and steel industry: 5.2% increase starting in March. One-time payment of 200 €. In 2009, wood and plastics processing industry: 1.5% increase in wages and salaries starting in November, with an additional 1.7% starting in November 2010. For May through September: 200 €; for October 2009 through February 2010: 200 €; 20 to 25 € in two stages for apprentices.
Textile and apparel industry: 1.5% increase. Starting in January 2010, an additional pay scale increase of €40; €20 for apprentices. For May through December: €42.50 each; €21.25 each for apprentices. For January and February 2011: €99; €49.50 for apprentices. Increase in vacation pay by 1.5% starting in 2010.
Iron and Steel Industry: 2% increase effective January 2010. One-time payment of €350.

2009
Wood and plastics processing industry: 1.5% increase in wages and salaries starting in November, with an additional 1.7% increase starting in November 2010. For May through September: €200; for October 2009 through February 2010: €200; €20 to €25 in two stages for apprentices.
Textile and apparel industry: 1.5% increase. Starting in January 2010, an additional pay scale increase of €40; €20 for apprentices. For May through December: €42.50 each; €21.25 each for apprentices. For January and February 2011: €99; €49.50 for apprentices. Increase in vacation pay by 1.5% starting in 2010.
Iron and Steel Industry: 2% increase effective January 2010. One-time payment of €350.

2010
Metal and Electrical Industry: 2.7% increase starting in April 2011. For May 2010 through March 2011: €320; trainees: €120. Collective bargaining agreements that regulate short-time work with a reduction in residual costs and a reduction in working hours to 28 (26) hours with partial wage compensation, as well as improvements to the hiring provisions for trainees.
Iron and steel industry: 3.6% increase starting in October. One-time payment of €150.

2011
Textile and apparel industry: 3 .6% increase starting in October. May through September: €50 each, apprentices €25 each. Increase in vacation pay by 3.6% starting in 2012.
Wood and plastics processing industry: e.g., 4% increase in wages and salaries starting in November. For May through October: €90 each. Increase in apprenticeship stipends by €42.51 starting in August and by €62 starting November 1.
Iron and steel industry: 3 . 8 % increase starting in December.

2012
Textile and apparel industry: For January through April 2013: €60 each; €25 each for apprentices. 3% increase in wages and salaries starting in May 2013. Apprentice wages to increase by €50 starting in May 2013. Wages, salaries, and apprentice wages to increase by 2% starting in June 2014. Vacation pay to increase by 3% in 2013, with an additional 2% in 2014.
Metal and Electrical Industries: Conclusion of collective bargaining agreements regarding the use of temporary agency workers. Among other improvements to working conditions: After 24 months of temporary assignment, a permanent employment contract must be offered.
Metal and Electrical Industry: 4.3% increase effective May 2012. As a rule, apprentices are hired on a permanent basis upon completion of their training. Conclusion of a collective bargaining agreement for the funding year.

2013
Wood and plastics processing industry: 3% increase in wages and salaries starting in March. Increase in apprenticeship stipends by €30 starting in August.
Iron and steel industry: 3% increase starting in March. Improved options for retirement transitions.
Metal and Electrical Industry: 3 . 4 % increase in wages and training allowances starting in July. Further increase of 2.2% starting in May 2014.

2014
Iron and steel industry: 2 .3 % increase starting in July 2014 and 1.7% increase starting in May 2015. Apprentices receive an additional €36 per month. Entitlements under the collective bargaining agreement for partial retirement remain in effect even after the introduction of retirement at age 63 with 45 years of contributions. Initial regulations regarding the use of service contracts.
Wood and plastics processing industry: 3% increase in wages, salaries, and apprenticeship stipends starting in September. For May through August: €160; apprentices €50.
Textile and Apparel Industry (West): January through May 2015: €60 each; apprentices €30 each. Starting in June 2015, the monthly amounts of €60 and €30, respectively, will be incorporated into the pay scale. An additional 2.4% increase in wages, salaries, and apprenticeship stipends effective June 2016.

2015
Metal and Electrical Industry: 3 . 4% increase in wages and apprenticeship stipends starting in April. For January through March: 150 €. Initial provisions for subsidized part-time education, as well as improved provisions for partial retirement.
Textile Industry (Eastern Germany): Wage increases of 3.0% in May and an additional 2.3% in August 2016. Gradual increase in vacation pay by €100 through 2016. Above-average increase in apprenticeship stipends.
Iron and Steel Industry: North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) : Wages and apprenticeship stipends will increase by 2.3% starting in January 2016, and travel expenses will be reimbursed for apprentices. For November and December 2015: €200; apprentices: €80. Collective bargaining agreements on partial retirement, minimum net wage tables, job security, and work contracts.

2016
Wood and Plastics Processing Industry: 2% increase in wages and salaries starting in May (apprentices receive an additional €20 each). A further 1.7% increase starting in July 2017 (apprentices receive an additional €20 each). Conclusion of a collective bargaining agreement on demographic issues.
Metal and Electrical Industry: 2.8% increase in wages and training allowances starting in July. For June: €150; trainees: €65. An additional 2% increase in wages and training allowances starting in April 2017. The option to defer the lump-sum payment or the second stage is available only to companies affiliated with the association that are experiencing financial difficulties and only with the approval of the collective bargaining parties.

2017
Textile and Apparel Industry (West): 2 . 7% increase in wages and salaries starting in August 2017, and an additional €30 for apprentices at all levels. For February 2017: €40; March and April: €50 each; and May through July 2017: €60 each. Apprentices: €20, €25, and €30. An additional 1.7% increase in wages and salaries starting in September 2018. Apprentices receive an additional €30 at all levels. Additionally, a 2.5% increase in vacation pay in 2017 and a further 2% in 2018. Increase in the supplement for partial retirement to €510 starting in August 2017 and to €535 starting in September 2018.
Textile Industry (East): A 2.9% increase in compensation in June and a further 1.9% increase in September 2018. A phased increase in the additional vacation pay. A disproportionately large increase in apprenticeship wages. Reinstatement of the collective bargaining agreement regarding the permanent hiring of apprentices. Reinstatement of the collective bargaining agreement promoting demographic partial retirement.
Iron and Steel Industry: e.g., East: 2.3% increase in wages, salaries, and apprenticeship stipends effective April. An additional 1.7% starting in May 2018. An above-average increase in compensation for apprenticeship years 1 through 3. Agreement on a “Steel Future Dialogue” to enhance the appeal of apprenticeships. Continuation of the collective bargaining agreements on partial retirement, minimum net pay scales, and work contracts.

2018
Wood and plastics processing industry: 4% increase in wages and salaries starting in May. Disproportionately large increase in apprenticeship stipends. For January through April: €300.
Metal and Electrical Industry: 4.3% increase in wages and apprenticeship stipends starting in April. For January through March: €100. Apprentices: €70. Collective bargaining-based supplementary payment starting in 2019: 27.5% of one month’s pay plus a fixed amount of €400. Fixed amount starting in 2020: 12.3% of the base wage. Starting in 2019: Reduction of working hours to up to 28 hours per week for up to 2 years is possible. Option for employees raising children, caring for relatives, or working shifts: collective bargaining supplement or 8 days off.

2019
Textile and Apparel Industry West: 2.6% increase in wages and salaries starting in August, and €30 more for apprentices at all levels. For February through July: €340; apprentices: €170. An additional 2.3% increase in wages and salaries starting in September 2020. Apprentices receive an additional €30 at all levels. Additionally, a 2.6% increase in vacation pay and a further 2.3% increase in 2020. Increase in the supplement for partial retirement to €570 starting in September and to €600 starting in September 2020.
Iron and Steel Industry: North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW): 3.7% increase in wages and salaries starting in March. For January and February: €100. Above-average increase in apprenticeship stipends starting in January and again starting in March 2020. Additional collective bargaining-based compensation of €1,000 or, optionally, up to 5 days of paid leave starting in 2020. Continuation of collective bargaining agreements on job security and the introduction of working time accounts, partial retirement, minimum net pay scales, and work contracts. Initiation of discussions on a collective bargaining agreement for dual-track students.
Textile Industry (East): Wage increases of 2.6% starting in June, a further 1.6% starting in August 2020, and an additional 2.0% starting in September 2021. Above-average increases in apprenticeship wages starting in August 2019, August 2020, and August 2021. A phased plan to align working hours with those in the West.
Wood and Plastics Processing Industry: Lower Saxony-Bremen: One-time payment of €150. 2.6% increase in wages and salaries starting in January 2020. An additional 1.8% increase in wages and salaries starting in January 2021. Above-average increase in apprenticeship stipends. Extension of the Demography Collective Bargaining Agreement.

2020
Metal and electrical industries and other sectors: Short-term crisis relief packages during the COVID-19 pandemic: measures to secure employment, subsidies for short-time work benefits, support for parents, etc.

2021
Textile and apparel industry (Western Germany): COVID-19 aid of €325. A 1.3% increase in wages and salaries starting in February 2022. An additional 1.4% increase starting in October 2022. A 2% increase in vacation pay starting in 2022. Apprentices: €325 COVID-19 aid. An additional €30 at all levels starting in August 2022. A 2% increase in vacation pay in 2022. Improved regulations for partial retirement. Improved regulations to promote education, training, and continuing education.

Wood and plastics processing industry: e .g., Westfalen-Lippe: COVID-19 aid of €385. 2.7% increase in wages and salaries starting in April 2022. An additional 2.2% starting in April 2023. Reinstatement of the Demographic Collective Bargaining Agreement with increases in the amounts for 2022 and 2023; index-linked starting in 2025. Apprentices: €200 COVID-19 aid. Above-average increase in apprenticeship wages in 2022 and 2023.

Iron and steel industry: e.g., North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW): €500 COVID-19 aid at the end of June. Additional payments of €250 each in December 2021 and February 2022. €600 in additional wage-indexed compensation starting in February 2023. The additional payments can also be used to secure employment. Trainees: €300 COVID-19 aid. €150 each in December 2021 and February 2022. €360 in additional annual compensation starting in February 2023. Extension of collective bargaining agreements on employment security, partial retirement, and contract work.

Metal and electrical industries: €500 COVID-19 aid; €300 for apprentices. New transformation allowance: 18.4% of one month’s pay in February of each year; may also be used as partial wage compensation in the event of a reduction in working hours. Improved job security, with the option of a four-day workweek. Procedural rules for concluding future collective bargaining agreements. Regulations regarding dual-track students. Collective bargaining regions of Berlin-Brandenburg and Saxony: a collective bargaining framework for a company-level solution to align working hours in eastern Germany. The remaining eastern German collective bargaining regions will follow with corresponding collective bargaining provisions.

2022
Textile and apparel industry in eastern Germany: One-time payments of €200 in May and €120 in August. Wage increase of 4.1% effective October. Further increase of 1.5% effective October 2023. Disproportionately large increase in apprenticeship wages. Increase in the additional vacation pay in 2022 and 2023 to €690 and €720 (apprentices receive half of each amount). Increase in annual bonuses to 75% of gross monthly earnings. Continuation of the collective bargaining agreement on partial retirement.

Iron and Steel Industry: e .g., North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW): €500 energy bonus in July; €200 for apprentices. Increase in wages, salaries, and apprenticeship stipends by 6.5% starting in August. Extension of the collective agreement on employment security and the introduction of working time accounts, the collective agreement on partial retirement, the collective agreement on minimum net pay scales, and the collective agreement on the use of service contracts. Development of a draft collective agreement for dual-track students by the end of July.

Metal and Electrical Industry: Tax- and contribution-free inflation adjustment bonuses of €1,500 each by February 2023 and February 2024 at the latest. Trainees will receive €550 each at the same time. Wages and apprenticeship stipends will increase by 5.2% starting in June 2023 and by an additional 3.3% starting in May 2024. The transformation allowance (T-Geld) remains at 18.4% of monthly earnings, offset by a higher collective bargaining supplement (T-ZUG B) of 18.5% of the base wage.

2023
Textile and Apparel Industry West
A tax- and contribution-free inflation adjustment bonus (IAP) of €1,000 in April/May 2023. Starting in October, monthly wages will increase by 4.8%—but by at least €130, including for apprentices. In April 2024, another IAP of €500 net will be paid. In September 2024, monthly wages will increase by an additional 3.3%, but by at least €100, including for apprentices. Due to the minimum amounts of €130 and €100, the lower wage groups and apprenticeship stipends will increase significantly more than proportionately.

Automotive Trade
Through July 2023, there will be an inflation adjustment bonus (IAP) of €1,500 net; for apprentices, €750. Starting in November 2023, monthly wages will increase by 5%—an additional €70 per month for apprentices. In the first quarter of 2024, there will be an additional IAP of 1,000 € net, and 500 € for apprentices. October 2024: 3.6% higher monthly wages—50 € more per month for apprentices.

2024
Wood and Plastics Processing Industry
Wages and apprenticeship stipends will increase by 5% starting in September/October 2024 (depending on the collective bargaining region) and by an additional 3% starting in June/July 2025. In addition, there will be an inflation adjustment bonus (IAP) of €2,300; for apprentices, this is generally €1,150 or more, to be paid out in two installments in March and September 2024.
In Berlin-Brandenburg, however, the increases will be 6% starting in January 2025 and an additional 3.9% starting in September 2025, with the IAP payments made in May and August 2024.

Textile and Apparel Industry (East)
Wage increases of 5% starting in October 2024, 2% starting in March 2025, 1.5% starting in October 2025, and an additional 1.5% starting in January 2026. Disproportionately large increases in apprenticeship stipends. Increase in the additional vacation pay to €730 in 2024, €765 in 2025, and €700 in 2026 (apprentices receive half of these amounts in each case). Increase in annual bonus payments to 80% of gross monthly earnings in 2025 and 85% in 2026. Continuation of the collective bargaining agreement on partial retirement.

Metal and Electrical Industry
A 2% pay increase effective April 2025, followed by an additional 3.1% increase effective April 2026; a one-time payment of 600 euros in February 2025 (pro-rated for part-time employees). Increase in monthly apprenticeship stipends by 140 euros effective January 2025 and by an additional 3.1% effective April 2026.
Increase in the supplementary amount of the Collective Bargaining Supplement (T-ZUG B) from 18.5% to 26.5% of the base pay starting in February 2026.
​​​​​​​Expansion of entitlements to collective bargaining-based time off (T-ZUG elective option): more days off for employees with children, caregiving responsibilities, and shift work—including those with children up to age 12—without restrictions for rotating shifts or part-time work.

2025​​​
Automotive Trade
A 2.3% pay increase for employees starting in July 2025. Apprentices will receive an additional €80 per month. Starting in August 2026, wages and apprenticeship stipends will increase by an additional 3.3%.

Textile and Apparel Industry (West)
Wages will increase by 2% starting in August 2025, with a minimum increase of €60; apprentices will receive an additional €25. In October 2026, there will be a further 2.9% increase—with a minimum of €90—for employees, and an increase of €35 for apprentices. In addition, there will be a one-time payment of €275 (half that amount for apprentices) in July 2025.
In addition, the collective bargaining agreement’s partial retirement program will be extended and improved: The employer’s supplement to the partial retirement pay will increase from 750 to 775 euros in 2025 and to 800 euros per month in 2026. With an increased eligibility rate, more older employees can now retire early.