Following a period of industrial action, the Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft (Verdi) and the Bundesverband Digitalpublisher und Zeitungsverleger (BDZV) have reached a new collective bargaining agreement for editors employed at German daily newspapers. The agreement, finalized in Hamburg, addresses concerns over real wage losses experienced in recent years.
The agreement stipulates salary increases across three tiers until 2027, averaging a rise of 10.5 percent overall. Verdi negotiator Matthias von Fintel emphasized the timeliness of the adjustment, particularly noting substantial percentage increases – ranging from 11.5 to 16 percent – for entry-level employees and volunteers.
The recently concluded negotiations followed a series of strikes across 36 publishing houses and editorial teams nationwide, with some demonstrations lasting up to six days. The new framework extends for a 36-month period and is retroactive to January 2025.
Salaries will increase by a standard €190 per month this year (initially €100 per month in March and April), resulting in retroactive payments of €770. A further rise of 3 percent is planned for March 2026, followed by an additional fixed sum increase of €110 in February 2027. These increases will also apply proportionally to remuneration for freelance workers with employee-like status.
Volunteers are projected to see combined increases of approximately 15 to 16 percent, while those entering the profession will benefit from a total salary increase of 11.5 percent effective February 2027. For new editors hired from 2026 onwards, the tariff salary will be factored into vacation pay calculations. Several structural changes proposed by the BDZV were ultimately rejected.
Both parties have agreed to a period of explanation until August 1st.