Collective bargaining in the retail sector has been fruitless for months. Nevertheless, several trading companies now want to raise wages again on their own. Verdi reacts angrily.
In the stalled collective bargaining dispute in the retail sector, some retail companies are once again increasing wages and salaries on their own initiative. The Schwarz Group, which includes Lidl and Kaufland, the Rewe Group (Rewe, Penny, Toom), Aldi and the furniture retailer Ikea announced that they would increase the wages of their employees. The companies had already increased fees by a good five percent in October 2023. Taking this into account, employees can now look forward to a total increase of 10 percent compared to the tariff tables that are currently in effect. Aldi Süd did not want to give any specific figures.
The food retailers are following a recommendation from the German Trade Association (HDE) to voluntarily increase wages by a maximum of ten percent before an official collective bargaining agreement and to later offset this against the collective bargaining agreement. “After eleven months of collective bargaining conflict with more than 60 rounds of negotiations nationwide, we have come to the conclusion that Verdi unfortunately has no interest in a timely conclusion in the retail sector,” said HDE collective bargaining manager Steven Haarke.
Without the approval of the HDE and its regional associations, companies bound by collective agreements are not allowed to increase wages and salaries. If these have already been increased in October 2023, only an increase equal to the difference is now permitted. The Edeka Group wants to follow the recommendations of the industry association, as a company spokesman announced.
Criticism of Verdi
The Verdi union, which once again called on retail workers to go on warning strikes this week, criticized the employers’ approach. The trade association is trying to “break the will to strike by announcing voluntary wage increases,” said Verdi federal board member Silke Zimmer. “A return to the negotiating table and a collective agreement that takes price increases into account is the order of the day.” Legally binding wage increases could only be achieved in a collective agreement.
Collective bargaining for the millions of retail workers has made little progress for months. Even numerous warning strikes could not change the messy situation. Verdi is demanding, among other things, at least 2.50 euros more per hour in retail in all regions and a term of one year. Depending on the federal state, there are additional requirements. Top-level talks at the federal level have not brought any progress recently. Verdi accuses the employers of blocking the negotiations.
Source: Stern
