Germany - 5% pay rise in dairy industry - September 30, 2026

A new agreement for the dairy industry in the eastern part of the country brings a 5% wage increase. Wages and salaries will rise by 2.8%, retroactive to 1 September 2026. Further increases of 1.1% each will follow on 1 May 2027, and 1 November 2027. The agreement runs until 31 March 2028. Monthly training allowances will increase by € 50 on 1 September 2026, with an additional € 25 added on 1 November 2027. The agreement was preceded by protests and information campaigns; more than 1,000 employees signed a wage petition after employers had initially offered only 2.3%. The agreement covers dairy facilities in regions including Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, and numerous other companies are expected to align their terms with this outcome.

Read on: in German…

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