The Bundestarifkommission Bodenverkehrsdienste of the service workers’ union Verdi has accepted the mediation recommendation from last week for around 30,000 employees at German airports. The union announced this on Tuesday. Further strikes are therefore off the table.
The reason for the mediation was a conflict between Verdi and the two employer associations VKA and ABL over the planned value-equivalent transfer of the collective agreement in the public service (TVöD) to the remuneration collective agreement for ground transportation services. “Only the mediation commission negotiations, which we as a union called for, brought about the breakthrough” said Verdi negotiator Oliver Bandosz. “The result goes beyond the simple transfer of the public service agreement, as we were able to achieve several financial improvements with an extended duration.”
The package of agreements provides for a duration until March 31, 2027, with a linear increase of the tariff rates by 3.0 percent (at least 110 euros) from April 1, 2025 and a further increase from May 1, 2026, which also includes a permanent base rate increase (35 euros plus 2.8 percent). The remuneration of trainees will also increase at the same time points by 75 euros. In addition, shift work allowances (60 euros) and rotating shift work allowances (95 euros) will be introduced for the first time, as well as two special payments of 200 euros each for 2025 and 2026. All employees and trainees will also receive an additional vacation day starting from 2027.
The implementation of the package for ground transportation services is still subject to the approval of the Verdi-Bundestarifkommission for the public service to conclude the TVöD on April 6, 2025. The commission will meet on May 12 and a member survey is currently underway.