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Major German trade union wins pay hike, averting strike

For almost four million workers facing soaring inflation

18 November, 14:07
(ANSA-AFP) - FRANKFURT, NOV 18 - Germany's biggest trade union agreed Friday on wage hikes totaling 8.5 percent that are expected to cover almost four million workers facing soaring inflation, averting a major strike in Europe's top economy. The deal will be closely watched across the continent, which is facing spreading industrial action as employees demand large pay increases to cope with rising costs, particularly of energy. The agreement between IG Metall union -- which represents workers in Germany's key metal and electrical sectors, and is seen a trend setter for setting wages nationwide -- was reached early Friday after weeks of talks and walkouts. The so-called "pilot agreement" in the southern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, which is expected to eventually cover about 3.9 million workers across Germany, lays out how the pay increase will be introduced in two stages, in 2023 and 2024. It also includes a 3,000-euro ($3,100) payment to combat the impact of inflation. (ANSA-AFP).

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