Chemical industry fights for a wage agreement
Approximately 600,000 employees in the Chemical Industry can look forward to an overall increase of 6.85% in their salaries. In addition, IGBCE union members will receive an extra free day off per year. The wage increase will occur in two stages.
The union and employers have agreed on a collective bargaining agreement for the 585,000 employees in the Chemical Industry. According to IGBCE and the Federal Employers' Association BAVC in Bad Breisig, these employees will receive a total of 6.85% more salary.
IGBCE union members will also receive an additional free day off per year in the future. "Such a benefit regulation in a large collective bargaining agreement is a nationwide novelty," the union announced. In addition, the Federal Wage Tariff Agreement will be modernized. The total duration of the new collective bargaining agreement is 20 months. The union had demanded a wage increase of 7% for employees, a better position for union members, and a modernization of the Federal Wage Tariff Agreement in the collective bargaining round.
The wage increase will occur in two stages: Employees will receive an additional 2% in pay starting from September of this year, in addition to the wage increase of 3.25% and tax-free inflation adjustment premium of €1,500 in January from the last collective bargaining agreement. Starting from April next year, their incomes will increase by an additional 4.85%. Companies facing economic difficulties can postpone the second stage by a maximum of three months.
The union had demanded 7% more income for employees, a better position for union members, and a modernization of the Federal Wage Tariff Agreement in the collective bargaining round. Most recently, the union and employers in the Chemical Industry reached a collective bargaining agreement in October 2022, which provided for special payments and table-based wage increases of 3.25% in two steps. This contract expires at the end of June.
The collective bargaining agreement between IGBCE and the Federal Employers' Association BAVC also impacts the Chemical Industry's economy, as it leads to a 6.85% increase in salaries for 585,000 employees. Trade unions like IGBCE play a significant role in this process, engaging in collective bargaining to secure better wages and benefits for their members.
