Member-only story
Worker Struggles in the 21st Century
Four Hundred and Thirteen
Four hundred and thirteen. That’s how many strikes took place in the confectionery industry in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia before a new collective agreement was signed. From November 1st, all employees received a 5% pay raise, but not less than 125 euros, with another 2.5% increase scheduled for October 2025. Additionally, by December of this year at the latest, all employees will receive an 810-euro inflation bonus, which at least takes care of Christmas gifts. Last year, Germans spent an average of 507 euros on Christmas presents.
Also in North Rhine-Westphalia, employees of Natumi, a producer of plant-based milk alternatives, went on strike in November, demanding a 9.9% pay increase. According to the NGG union, such an increase would only bring wages in line with other companies in the food industry.
Negotiations are ongoing for a collective agreement covering 120,000 employees of restaurant chains, between NGG and the Federal Association of System Catering (Bundesverband der Systemgastronomie, BdS). Among the union’s demands, the demand for a clause distancing wages from the minimum wage is particularly noteworthy. This would mean employees’ salaries would automatically increase when the minimum wage rises.