Employers and employees announced this on Friday, and the agreement had already been reached during last year’s KV negotiations. However, the specific increase depended on the current rolling inflation. This was 3.8 percent between October 2023 and September 2024.
With the additional increase of one percent that has already been agreed, the bottom line is an increase in actual wages of 4.8 percent. Apprentice incomes will increase by an average of around 5.4 percent at the beginning of November. Allowances and expense allowances increase by 3.8 percent. The allowance for night work or the third shift will be increased by 8.16 percent. The new minimum wage is 2,518.43 euros, as announced by the PRO-GE and GPA unions and the employers in the metal technology industry. The KV agreement applies to all six metal industry/mining trade associations.
This year too, the competition clause will apply again, which means that the wage and salary increase may be lower for some employees – if their employer is in a very difficult economic situation. Under certain conditions, the increase can be reduced by 0.75 percent or 1.5 percent if this is compensated for by more free time or a one-off payment. The basis is a formula that calculates personnel expenses in relation to value creation.
“We are currently experiencing the longest recession phase since 1946. This hardship clause is primarily intended to help labor-intensive companies secure employment,” said the two chief negotiators on the employee side, Reinhold Binder (PRO-GE) and Karl Dürtscher (GPA). And they emphasized: “The conclusion of the collective agreement is a strong sign of a solution-oriented social partnership.”
Karl Dürtscher (GPA):
Reinhold Binder (PRO-GE):
Non-compete clause
For Christian Knill, chairman of the Association of the Metal Technology Industry, the two-year degree represents a big step forward. It should also be emphasized that labor-intensive companies would be relieved “at least partially” by the competition clause. With the competition clause, the actual wages and salaries increased by 3.3 percent and 4.05 percent, respectively, he calculated at the Chamber of Commerce on Friday afternoon.
Christian Knill (Metal Engineering Industry Association):
Christian Knill, chairman of the Metal Technology Industry Association: “A creative approach, because we and the unions are aware that the very high degrees achieved in recent years compared to Europe have put a massive strain on our companies and the location.” The metal technology industry has been in recession since the third quarter of 2022, every second company expects a negative result this year, and the economic outlook remains cautious. “The newly formed federal government is called upon to take immediate measures that will give companies room to breathe again. These include the rapid reduction of non-wage labor costs, a comprehensive reduction in bureaucracy as well as targeted investments in education and a sustainable energy supply,” said Knill.
