Germany - Higher pay and more free time for metalworkers - August 31, 2026

Union IG Metall Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt has reached a collective agreement with the Lower Saxony and Bremen Metalworkers' Association and the Lower Saxony Agricultural and Construction Technology Association. The 53,000 employees in approximately 2,500 companies will receive a 2.5% pay increase. This increase will be achieved through a permanently higher special payment. The Christmas bonus will rise from 70% to 100% of an average monthly salary. The monthly salary remains unchanged. Depending on their personal circumstances, employees can reduce their working hours by one hour per week for one year, two hours per week for six months, four hours per week for one quarter, or eleven hours per week for one month. The collective agreement is valid until 31 August 2027.

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