Transport of money and valuables: No cash shortage before the festival: agreement in the tariff dispute

Even in the final stretch of the Christmas business, the cash at the ATMs in Germany is unlikely to run out: after long negotiations, an agreement has been reached in the collective bargaining dispute in the cash transport industry.

For the approximately 10,000 employees in the industry, this means an increase of up to 8.43 percent over a period of two years, as the Federal Association of German Money and Cash Services announced. Verdi described the agreement, which includes increases from 6.5 percent in North Rhine-Westphalia to 8.4 percent in the eastern German states, as justifiable.

In the meantime, it was feared that cash could have become scarce due to the long wage dispute shortly before Christmas. In the event of a strike, ATMs might no longer be filled.

Verdi finds agreement “justifiable”

According to the statement, Verdi negotiator Sonja Austermühle said: “We have shown perseverance and it has been worth it.” The new contract takes effect from the beginning of 2025.

The employers’ negotiator, Hans-Jörg Hisam, said: “Despite the agreement that has now been reached, we must make it very clear that the cost increases that companies will now face are significant and will inevitably lead to business consequences.” The offer was increased moderately again on Tuesday.

Previous compromise surprisingly overturned

Verdi unexpectedly restarted collective bargaining after members overturned a previously negotiated compromise in a vote. 66.9 percent of survey participants voted against the draft contract, and the Verdi tariff commission had to acquiesce.

During the negotiating rounds there were repeated warning strikes, which led to minor disruptions in the cash supply. The companies had taken countermeasures by loading the machines with significantly more notes than usual.