Verdi secures pilot wage agreement for 240,000 wholesale workers in Bavaria

The trade union Verdi announced a pilot collective‑bargaining agreement for the wholesale and foreign‑trade sector in Bavaria, covering roughly 240,000 employees. The deal provides a 2.9 % wage increase beginning 1 August 2026 and a further 2.1 % rise from 1 May 2027, with a 24‑month contract term. Employers have not issued a statement; the parties must confirm the result by 4 August. Union negotiator Thomas Gürlebeck said the agreement sends a signal for nationwide wage talks in the sector, which employs more than one million workers, and could influence retail negotiations. He added, “Without the courage of the strikers this deal would never have been possible.” The settlement follows a series of warning strikes that helped press the parties to an accord.