More money for bakers in North Rhine-Westphalia

The West German Bakers' Guild and the Food, Beverages and Catering Union have agreed on a new collective wage agreement for the baking trade in North Rhine-Westphalia and the former administrative districts of Koblenz and Trier.

In the third round of negotiations, the Bakers' Guild Association West (BIV West) and the Food, Beverage and Catering Union The Food, Beverages and Catering Union (NGG) has reached an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement for the baking trade in North Rhine-Westphalia and the former administrative districts of Koblenz and Trier. The new agreement runs for a total of 23 months and comes into effect retroactively to February 1st of this year.

"This agreement thus offers both our businesses and our valued employees long-term security in economically uncertain times," explains Jörg von Polheim, co-chairman of the collective bargaining commission of the BIV West. "With this new agreement, the negotiating parties underscore their shared commitment to making the baking trade future-proof and attractive in times of economic challenges," the association stated.

The BIV WEST and the NGG demonstrated that fair working conditions, predictable wages, and targeted training measures remain essential building blocks for securing skilled craftsmanship and retaining qualified personnel in the industry. "This is a clear signal from the collective bargaining parties that an apprenticeship in the baking trade is a good and worthwhile investment in one's own future," explains Jürgen Hinkelmann, co-chairman of the collective bargaining commission.

Improved fees

For the months of February and March 2026, full-time employees will receive a recreation allowance of €100 (pro-rated for part-time employees). From April 2026, hourly wages in the baking trade will increase as follows:

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• Skilled workers: plus €0,45 per hour
• Unskilled workers: plus €0,25 per hour

Excluded from these increases are unskilled employees in pay groups 2 and 2.1 and marginally employed persons in pay group 16. Their hourly wage will be €14,10 from April. 

On January 01, 2027, there will be another general pay increase of 2,5 percent. Unskilled employees in pay groups 2 and 2.1 and marginally employed workers in pay group 16 are again excluded from this increase. From January 2027, the hourly wage for pay groups 2 and 2.1 will be €14,70. Employees in pay group 16 will receive an hourly wage of €14,60 from January.

Source: BIV West

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