Döner manufacturers Birtat and union finalize their initial agreement on wages - Doner manufacturer Birtat and labor union sign their first collective agreement together
Birtat and NGG Reach Historic Collective Bargaining Agreement
In a significant development for the Döner industry, Birtat and the trade union NGG have reached a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) after prolonged strikes. The agreement, announced on an undisclosed date in early August 2025, marks a turning point in labor relations at Birtat.
The CBA includes the following key terms:
- Wage Increases: The agreement sets a gross entry-level wage at €2,600 per month, a compromise from the union's initial demand for a raise of €375 aiming at a €3,000 minimum threshold. This represents a significant wage increase for Birtat workers but less than NGG’s highest demand.
- Job Classification Agreement: While specific job classification details were not explicitly reported, the agreement implies formal recognition of pay scales aligned with workers' roles, as typical for collective agreements, to ensure standardized compensation within job categories.
- Master Collective Agreement Terms: The agreement formally establishes a collective agreement after management’s previous refusal. It ensures structured negotiations going forward and sets standards for wages and working conditions regulated by NGG’s tariff policies.
The CBA also provides planning security and strengthens trust and cooperation between Birtat and its employees. The term of the agreement is until the end of 2026.
The wage at Doner Producer Birtat will be increased in two stages, with a maximum increase of 17%. Cihan Karaman, spokesperson for Meat World SE, the employer associated with Birtat, stated that the collective bargaining agreement is an important signal to Birtat's employees, expressing appreciation for their hard and good work.
However, the agreement does not specify the details of the job classification agreement or the master collective agreement. It also does not provide information about any benefits or working conditions beyond wage increases. Both parties have agreed to negotiate a master collective agreement in the future.
This development follows eleven warning strikes and concerns about potential bottlenecks in Döner supply, signaling strong union leverage. Although the final wage agreed (€2,600 entry) remains below NGG’s €3,000 wage threshold, it represents a foundational improvement with potential future adjustments.
The CBA is regarded as a critical step in stabilizing labor relations in the Döner production sector at Birtat. Further details about the agreement, such as working hours, benefits, or specific job classification tiers beyond wages, were not available in the search results.
In light of the historic collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in the Döner industry, this development is crucial for improving vocational training opportunities within EC countries' vocational training programs, considering the increased wages for Birtat workers. The agreement's provisions, particularly the job classification agreement and the master collective agreement terms, may pave the way for better finance management and business operations in the sector. However, the specifics of these agreements remain undisclosed, emphasizing the need for future negotiations between Birtat and NGG.
