35-hour week maintained. Verdi is also happy because the social partners agreed to extend to December 31, 2010 the framework agreement on employment conditions (Manteltarifvertrag). Afterwards, Verdi and employers will negotiate changes, which will enter into force on September 1, 2011. According to Verdi, the major bone of contention was the extension of working time demanded by employers. “But we secured the 35-hour week” said the spokesman, adding that the system for working time at the end of the career included in this agreement was also extended (see our dispatch No. 070502). The printing and media industries’ federation said that the agreement concluded for 24 months took account of the economic situation and offered businesses safety regarding cost planning.
because the main goals are achieved. The agreement provides for a single €280 bonus in September 2009 (€130 for apprentices) and a 2% pay raise on April 1, 2010. Mostly, Verdi’s negotiators managed to object to “opening clauses” (“Öffnungsklausel”) which employers demanded. They wanted businesses affected by the economic crisis to be able to bargain with their works council for the postponement, reduction or even removal of the bonus and wage increase negotiated by the social partners at branc
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