Retail workers are once again helping the industry get off the ground with the conclusion of the crisis
Employees agreed to the result of the collective bargaining agreement. Trade union vida expects wage restraint to have a positive impact on pricing.
The fourth round of negotiations on the collective agreement for retail workers led to an agreement on 19 January 2026. In a survey, the employees have now clearly agreed with the result. The agreement brings wage increases of 2.55 percent as well as improvements in night and cold allowances. Deterioration in the framework law could be averted. After there had already been an agreement below rolling inflation in the previous year, the employees were once again willing to compromise.
Tolerable compromise, responsibility taken
"It is crucial that the colleagues themselves have a say in the result. The clear approval shows that this result is an acceptable compromise for the majority," emphasizes vida negotiator Christine Heitzinger. At the same time, it states that this concession must not remain without consequences.
"Neither the employees nor the consumers caused the conditions that made this crisis conclusion necessary. We therefore expect that the employers will not forget who has taken responsibility in this situation in upcoming negotiations."Verhandlungsleiterin der Gewerkschaft vida
At the same time, Heitzinger makes it clear that wages must not be misused as a justification for further price increases.
Wages are rising, framework law remains stable
Despite the necessary concessions, the vida negotiators have achieved the best for the approximately 150,000 employees in the industry within the scope of what is possible: The collective bargaining agreement means a monthly plus of around 54 to 63 euros gross, and between 750 and 880 euros more gross income per year. At the same time, deterioration in working conditions could be prevented – for example through longer night working hours. The right to partial retirement will also be retained.
After the collective bargaining negotiation is before the collective bargaining negotiation
The conclusion was preceded by a mobilization in recent months. Many employees have taken part in actions and thus built up pressure on employers. "Many colleagues have shown that they do not accept everything," Heitzinger notes.
For the vida trade unionist, it is clear that the current agreement is not an end point. "After the collective bargaining negotiation is before the collective bargaining negotiation. Only together can we enforce better wages, fairer working conditions and more respect in the world of work step by step," Heitzinger concluded. The new collective agreement will come into force on 1 January 2026 – in companies where no wage increases have been paid out in the meantime, it will apply retroactively.
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