Germany: 2016-2019 collective negotiations schedule

The 2016 collective negotiations are entering their final phase with some heavyweight wage and collective agreement negotiations still outstanding by the end of the year including Deutsche Bahn, the Public Sector (Lander), and the Interim employment sector. Beyond year-end a new round of collective negotiations will commence in 2017, which itself will close out with the metals sector. Planet Labor has set out the full schedule that will impact some 11.4 million workers and which was put together by the independent academic Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI) within the Hans-Böckler-Foundation.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Upcoming negotiations at Deutsche Bahn. 2016 will be a year of major collective negotiations with Deutsche Bahn the first to commence. Germany’s rail company has no less than forty-five separate small and large collective agreements covering its 134,000 staff. Negotiations are set to start with the train drivers union the GDL on 10 October and then on 17 October the majority rail-workers union EVG will commence negotiating. The final phase of the 2014/2015 negotiations led to intense conflict w

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: sectors feel economic slowdown to differing degrees
The latest data on France’s occupational sectors (branches professionnelles), covering the year 2023, show how employment trends are shaping workplace dynamics. After a more favourable period for...
United Kingdom: Parliament finally passes Employment Rights Bill
The UK Labour government's flagship reform of employment rights was passed by both houses on 16 December after a turbulent parliamentary process. The bill introduces numerous changes to labour...
18 December 2025
EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI
On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...
18 December 2025
EU: MEPs demand directive on algorithmic management
Members of the European Parliament have called for a directive on algorithmic management. Such legislation would introduce obligations for companies to inform employees, assess health and safety...
17 December 2025
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Pascale Rauline (Axa EWC): “European charter formalises ongoing and accelerated social dialogue on AI”
On 27 November, Axa and its European works council (EWC) signed a charter setting out principles governing the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and guaranteeing social dialogue on the...
2
Germany: crisis-hit industries cast shadow over 2026 bargaining cycle
In 2026, collective wage agreements for nearly 10 million employees in Germany are set to expire. With upcoming negotiations in crisis-hit 'pilot' sectors such as chemicals and metalworking, the...
2 December 2025
3
Bulgaria: government approves bill to encourage sector-level collective bargaining
On 26 November, the Bulgarian government approved amendments to the labour code designed to reinforce the legal framework for sector-level collective bargaining. The reform aims to stimulate...
2 December 2025
4
EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI
On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...
18 December 2025
5
Germany: Erwin Hymer Group’s innovative and award-winning AI agreement
Fed up with negotiating separate agreements for each new artificial intelligence (AI) tool, the social partners at Erwin Hymer Group (8,900 employees) have instead secured a broad, overarching...
12 December 2025
6
Italy: new collective agreement for mechanical engineering and metalworking sectors focuses on defending purchasing power
The deal struck on 22 November between Italy’s social partners in the mechanical engineering and metalworking sector brings an end to a long and contentious bargaining process. The agreement –...
25 November 2025