10,000 cash and valuables transport workers in Germany win pay rises

After rounds of negotiations and actions, 10,000 cash and valuables transport workers in Germany secure a new collective agreement with higher wages, improved holiday entitlements and better overtime working conditions.

The agreement was concluded on 17 December 2024 after workers and their union ver.di were ready to kick off the strikes by stopping the transport of money and leaving ATMs unfilled ahead of the Christmas period. After six rounds of negotiations, the employers’ side finally agreed to their requests and made an acceptable offer.

The new collective agreement represents a significant improvement,  with inflation-busting wage increases by 6.5 per cent to 8.4 per cent. In addition, a tax-free one-off payment of €150,00 as compensation for empty months has been paid in December. Importantly, the agreement goes a long way in standardising holiday entitlements and working conditions across all federal states. For instance, all workers will now be entitled to 30 days of vacation. A range of different bonuses will be combined into one company bonus the tune of up to €1,100.

“This agreement is a major win for workers, a significant step closer to standardising working conditions across all federal states and a clear signal of what can be achieved when workers stand together,” said Oliver Roethig, Regional Secretary of UNI Europa.