At the past weekend collective bargaining between employers (ZDB) and unions (IG Bau) in the German construction industry came to an end which was reached through conciliation. According to the agreement reached, wages and salaries of the about 700,000 employees in the German construction industry are to be raised by 2.3% as of June 1st 2009 and by another 2.3% from April 1st in 2010. For May 2009 employees will receive a single additional payment of 60 Euros. The new collective wage agreement will be valid for 24 months.
Here some details: The minimum wage I for east Germany will be raised from currently 9 Euros to 9.25 Euros on September 1st this year and then to 9.50 Euros on September 1st in 2010 and again to 9,75 Euros on July 1st in 2011. This minimum wage agreement will be valid for 27 months. The minimum wage I in the west of Germany will increase in 10-cent-increments to 11 Euros in the period from September 1st 2009 to September 1st 2011. The minimum wage II in the west will be raised in 5-cent-increments from currently 12.85 Euros to 13 Euros over the same period. 