Breweries Secure Additional Funding
In a notable development for the brewing industry in North Rhine-Westphalia, approximately 5500 employees are set to receive a pay increase, as announced by the union Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten (NGG). The initial pay increase, amounting to 2.8%, will be distributed in April 2026.
The North Rhine-Westphalia Brewers' Association, which comprises ten member breweries including König from Duisburg, Radeberger from Dortmund, and Diebels from Issum, has reached a collective agreement with the NGG. This agreement, effective for 24 months and set to expire in March 2027, includes a series of provisions aimed at benefiting employees.
Mohamed Boudih, the NGG state chairman, expressed satisfaction with the pay increase, while Veltins, a member brewery, praised the negotiating partners for reaching a "performance- and market-appropriate agreement". The pay increase will benefit employees across various roles, from brewers to food technologists, production helpers, and drivers.
The pay increase will be implemented in stages. In February 2026, an additional 60 euros will be added to the pay of employees, with the percentage increase varying depending on the pay grade. This will be followed by a further 1.5% pay increase in September 2026.
Trainees in North Rhine-Westphalia's breweries will also benefit from the agreement, receiving two free days to prepare for their final exam. However, it's important to note that specific details about the collective agreement, including pay increases and additional benefits, are not available for all breweries in the region.
The brewing industry in North Rhine-Westphalia has been facing challenges, with beer production declining for decades. Despite this, the collective agreement has been described as "a challenge" by the managing director of the North Rhine-West-phalia Brewers' Association, Marc Peters.
It's worth mentioning that both Veltins and Krombacher, despite being competitors, also have a collective agreement with the NGG, and the pay increase for their employees is essentially the same as in the collective agreement with the North Rhine-Westphalia Brewers' Association.
However, it's crucial to note that the collective agreement comes at a time when labor costs and costs for energy, glass, cases, and crown caps have been rising. The impact of such agreements on competitors like Veltins and Krombacher remains to be seen, and for precise details, it would be best to consult local labor unions or industry associations directly.
In the context of the collective agreement between the North Rhine-Westphalia Brewers' Association and Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten (NGG), various roles in the brewing industry, such as brewers, food technologists, production helpers, and drivers, will experience a pay increase. This agreement, effective for 24 months, also includes provisions that extend to the finance sector, with a potential impact on the businesses within the brewing industry.
