A third round of intense negotiations over pay for confectionery workers in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein in Germany has ended without agreement, rejecting a 2% pay offer, writes Neill Barston.

The situation, which has been brokered between the country’s industry trade body, BDSI and the Food, Beverages and Catering Union (NGG) failed to find a resolution – just as parallel conversations with employees in Cologne also failed to find a conclusive result. 

Yesterday, workers in Hamburg were presented with a third—and once again improved—offer. The NGG rejected this, maintaining its original demands.

The BDSI has made concessions to the union over the course of three rounds and has presented an economically viable offer. Key points of the improved employer offer, Term of 24 months (May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2028),  2% increase in collectively agreed wages and apprentice allowances starting May 1, 2026.

It also included a further 2% increase in collectively agreed wages and apprentice allowances starting May 1, 2027. There will be a fourth round of negotiations taking place on 18 August.

“We have shown flexibility over three rounds and presented a fair offer. We remain open to dialogue, but we will not accept demands that companies cannot afford to meet,” says Dr. Mario Mundorf, BDSI Managing Director for Collective Bargaining Policy.