The average wage increase agreed upon in new collective labor agreements (CAOs) last month was 4.2 percent. This is higher than the previous month. This is due, among other things, to a substantial wage increase for pharmacy employees.
This is according to figures from employers’ association AWVN. They keep track of the wage agreements made in new CAOs on a monthly basis.
In May, eighteen new agreements were concluded for a total of 101,000 employees. They can expect an average wage increase of 4.2 percent in the next twelve months. This brings the average back above 4 percent.
In April, it dipped below that for the first time since the fall of 2022, with an average of 3.6 percent. But in May, the increase was higher again.
The sky-high inflation of recent years combined with the persistent staff shortage are the main reasons why substantial wage increases have been agreed upon for a long time. This means that trade unions and staff are strong in negotiations with employers.
The largest wage increase was in June 2023, when wages in new CAOs increased by an average of 8 percent.
According to the AWVN, companies are struggling to pay for this increase. The association refers to the industry, where things are not going well. There have been many reorganizations and business closures in the sector recently.