Union secures pay raise for 120,000 German burger flippers

Union secures pay raise for 120,000 German burger flippers

Flippers

Munich, March 3, 2020 (dpa/NAN) Workers in Germany’s burger bars are to see a pay raise of as much as 27.7 per cent phased over the three years to mid-2024 after their union struck a deal with McDonalds, Burger King and similar franchises.

The BdS association of fast-food outlets on Tuesday, in Munich said that the deal is to run from July 1to June 30, 2024, with the last pay raise kicking in on Dec. 1, 2023.

Mediator Harald Wanhoefer, head of the Bavarian labour court, said “the talks were hard and intense. Both sides had to make concessions and accept compromises to reach a deal.’’

The NGG union representing the workers failed in its aim of securing 12 euros (13.40 dollars) an hour for the lowest-paid workers.

The pay increase moves workers from the current 9.35 euros per hour, the legal minimum wage up to 11.80 euros in 2024.

The second pay scale group, which includes workers who have been on the job for at least a year, will get 12 euros by the end of the period.

NGG lead negotiator Freddy Adjan said “this collective bargaining agreement is a step on the way out of the low-wage range.’’

According to the BdS, the deal amounts to an annual average pay raise of 5 per cent.

BdS president Sandra Muehlhause praised the deal as providing for planning security over the years ahead for the outlets.

Wanhoefer was appointed mediator after the two sides failed to reach an agreement following three rounds of talks. (dpa/NAN)

HLM/AFA

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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed/Felix Ajide