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German public sector workers win 5.8% pay rise after intense strikes

Strikes paid off: Germany's public employees just locked in a landmark deal. With wages climbing 5.8% by 2028, unions call it a hard-won victory for fair pay.

The image shows a poster with two people standing in front of a backdrop of mountains and trees....
The image shows a poster with two people standing in front of a backdrop of mountains and trees. The text on the poster reads "What our free trade means - British Granite Worker - The Fair Wages Clause is all right, but I want work".

German public sector workers win 5.8% pay rise after intense strikes

Public sector workers in Germany’s federal states have secured a new collective bargaining deal after weeks of negotiations. The agreement follows widespread warning strikes as unions pushed for better pay and conditions. Talks between state employers and labour unions concluded with a deal covering all federal states except Hesse. Separate discussions are still ongoing there.

Under the new terms, employees will receive a minimum monthly pay rise of €100 from April. Trainees will see an even larger increase, with wages climbing by at least €150. By the end of the agreement, total pay will have risen by 5.8%. The contract runs until the end of January 2028. After that, both sides will return to the negotiating table for further discussions.

The deal brings an end to recent industrial action across most federal states. Workers will now see gradual pay increases over the coming years. Further negotiations will take place once the current agreement expires.

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