Collective bargaining agreement in Hessian retail: More salaries for employees

Employees in the Hessian trade receive more salaries. The Hesse trade association and the Verdi union have reached an agreement in the collective bargaining dispute, they announced. Accordingly, from July 1, 2026 there will be three percent more and from April 1, 2027 two percent more with a term of 25 months.

“An improvement in consumer sentiment is still not in sight,” said Nico Lehm, chairman of the tariff commission in Hesse, according to a statement from the trade association. “That’s why it’s so important that the Hessian trade receives planning security through today’s conclusion in order to ensure the continued existence of the companies together with the employees.”

In addition, according to the agreement, the collective minimum wage will increase. Verdi negotiator Marcel Schäuble said they were satisfied with the regulation, in which the lower pay groups would be raised more. In Hesse, around 250,000 employees in retail are affected.