FC St. Pauli has become the first club in the German professional football league to secure a collective bargaining agreement. The club announced this achievement with the union Verdi on Thursday.
This agreement covers employees of the club and its associated companies specifically within the areas of marketing and merchandising. However, certain groups are excluded from its scope, including senior management, the professional football sporting division (which includes the youth development center), and eSports personnel.
The pact introduces standardized wage grades and salary bands for the first time. Furthermore, the agreement tackles core issues concerning working conditions and social benefits. It has an operational period extending until June 30, 2028, though the new base salaries are retroactive, effective starting July 1, 2025.
The process was initially triggered by a membership application in 2021. Out of several years of negotiation, representatives from the club management, the HR department, and a negotiating committee composed of Verdi members collaboratively shaped the final terms. The collective bargaining agreement was formally signed on May 6, 2026. For employees who are members of Verdi, the agreement applies automatically, while all other covered employees have the option to decide whether or not to join the contract.
