Beer employees in NRW: 2.8% wage increase after strike success!

Beer employees in NRW: 2.8% wage increase after strike success!

In North Rhine-Westphalia, something is happening: Around 5,500 employees in the federal state breweries can look forward to a wage increase. The Trade Union Food Guest Gaststics (NGG) has announced a retrospective increase of 2.8 percent, which is now valid. In addition, there is another surcharge of 60 euros in February 2026, although this is particularly important depending on the pay group. This is how the salary development is important for the employees, but also for the numerous traditional breweries in Cologne.

This positive message is the result of intensive tariff negotiations that have been accompanied by strikes in the past. Especially in the traditional breweries of Cologne such as Gaffel and Reissdorf, there were protests in May that ultimately led to this degree. The Brewery Association of North Rhine -Westphalia, which includes the König, Radeberger and Diebels brewery, confirms the agreement. The managing director of the association, Marc Peters, sees the collective bargaining as a "challenge", since the industry continues to fight with declining beer outputs and increasing costs.

tariff details at a glance

The new collective agreement has a term of 24 months and ends in March 2027. In addition to the wage increases, there are also practical measures for trainees who receive two additional days for their final exams. These developments are not only groundbreaking for North Rhine-Westphalia, but also reflect a broader movement in the industry, as can be seen in other German breweries.

Competitive companies such as Warsteiner, Veltins and Krombacher have also made separate tariff agreements that provide similar salary increases. It is particularly worth mentioning that NGG state chief Mohamed Boudih is satisfied with the wage plus that is above inflation. Such a development has not always been a matter of course in the past.

look at the industry

The current collective bargaining is not just a sign of positive changes in payment. Significant progress was also made in the Bavarian brewing industry this year. Already on May 3, 2023, the collective bargaining community of the Bavarian Brewers' Association and the NGG agreed on a collective agreement after hours of negotiations, which provides for an increase in rejects of EUR 285 per tariff group from June 2023. Another example that the brewing industry is in transition and the challenges are mastered.

Overall, it shows that the industry players must have a good hand in order to be able to survive in the changing landscape of the brewing industry. And even if there are setbacks, these tariff degrees give hope for a more stable and fairer future for the employees in the German breweries.

More information here: Express.de , Ngg.Net , Brauwelt.com .