New pay and training in German insurance


The German services union Ver.di and the employers have reached agreement on new pay and training arrangements for the 170,000 people employed in insurance. The deal, which was signed on 30 August after almost six months of negotiations and several brief warning strikes, runs for 29 months from 1 April 2017 until 31 August 2019. 


There is a 2.0% increase in November 2017, which is not backdated to April, followed by a further 1.7% increase on 1 December 2018. Inflation is currently 1.8% (August).


Although the pay settlement is modest, particularly as there is no increase in the first seven months of the agreement, Ver.di has expressed its satisfaction at the new qualification agreement, signed at the same time. 


This offers all employees training opportunities and specifically allows them to reduce their hours to gain new qualifications for up to six months with a guarantee that they can return to their previous position.