Increased unification of tariffs in the motor vehicle industry of the North East region results in enhanced financial gains and alleviation.
In the ongoing wage talks for the auto sector in North-East, IG Metall and the employer associations have struck a deal. This deal brings about a double whammy of wage hikes. Apprentices in the industry will also see an improvement in their earnings. Plus, workers are granted the freedom to convert a chunk of their pay into extra time off.
Stefanie Haberkern, IG Metall's regional head for Berlin-Brandenburg-Saxony, commented, "More dough in the pocket and some extra chill-time - that's a win for our crew!"
The nitty-gritty of the agreement:
- Wage bump in two parts: A 2.3% hike from July 2025, followed by an extra 3.3% from August 2026
- Apprentices receive a monthly bonus of 80 euros from July, with another 3.3% hike from August 2026
- Both parties agree to work together to harmonize regional collective agreements in the North-East by aligning apprentice wages across the region
- Workers can now take up to five extra days off annually, funded by deductions from their monthly salary
Haberkern further added, "Our colleagues' relentless pressure during warning strikes and actions have proven effective. The negotiations were grueling, but we've managed to secure a deal that caters to the peculiarities of the workshop setting and promotes a fair transition in the automotive industry."
The IG Metall agreements impact over 440,000 auto trade employees across Germany. The North-East region encompasses the federal states of Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
While detailed information about the 2025-2026 wage negotiations in the North-East auto sector wasn't found in the search results, it is worth noting that similar discussions are underway in various regions, such as the ongoing wage negotiations between the Jamaican government and public sector unions[1]. Additionally, unions like the Teamsters are securing substantial pay increases across multiple industries in North America[5]. Regarding apprentice pay increases and the conversion of money into extra time off, precise details for the automotive sector were not available, but these practices would likely be contextual to specific union agreements or company policies.
- The wage agreement in the North-East's auto sector, as a result of the talks between IG Metall and employer associations, will lead to increases in the finance sector, as workers will have the option to convert a portion of their salary into extra time off in the transportation industry.
- The deal between IG Metall and the employer associations in the auto industry covers not just the wage hikes for the employees but also includes apprentices, who will receive a monthly bonus of 80 euros, with an additional 3.3% increase from August 2026.
- In the business world, the agreement reached between IG Metall and employer associations in the auto sector will have a ripple effect, potentially influencing wage negotiations in other industries such as finance, transportation, and beyond due to the precedent set by this significant pay increase for over 440,000 workers in Germany.
