The union Verdi has called for a seven percent salary increase over a twelve-month period ahead of its wage negotiations in the retail sector. According to the union, this demand covers all sixteen tariff areas within retail as well as the twenty tariff areas governing wholesale and outer trade, with the stated goal of significantly boosting real incomes above the rate of inflation.
During discussions, Verdi national executive board member Silke Zimmer rejected the use of one-time payments, arguing that salary increases must be formally embedded within the binding collective agreements. Furthermore, a key focus of the negotiations is achieving disproportionately higher wages for apprentices. Zimmer highlighted the plight of many retail workers who are forced to work part-time involuntarily and who are disproportionately impacted by rising prices. She strongly criticized the disparity, stating, “It is absurd: They rack up millions of Euros daily for their corporations. Meanwhile, they struggle to make ends meet at home because the low salary often doesn’t last the full month. This situation must end”.
Negotiations for the estimated 5.2 million employees across the retail and wholesale/outer trade sectors are set to commence on April 17th in the regions of North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg.
