Verdi Escalates Retail Pay Battle: 5.2 Million Workers Called Out June 4-5

Germany's largest services union, Verdi, is turning up the heat in a months-long wage dispute, calling for nationwide walkouts in retail, wholesale, and foreign trade on Thursday and Friday. The strike action affects approximately 5.2 million employees across the country.

The two-day stoppage follows a first wave of protests in mid-May and marks a sharp escalation. Union leadership accuses employers of systematically underpaying workers. "Retail employees must no longer be the nation's wage depressors," said Verdi executive board member Silke Zimmer, who is leading the negotiations alongside chief negotiator Bert Stach.

Where the Negotiations Stand

The gap between Verdi's demands and what employers are offering remains cavernous:

• Verdi wants a 7 percent pay increase, with a floor of €225 more per month, on a 12-month contract.
• In the wholesale and foreign trade sector, employers have offered a 3.4 percent raise over 24 months.
• In retail, the proposal includes a six-month wage freeze, followed by a 2 percent increase in November 2026 and another 1.5 percent in August 2027 — also over 24 months.

Bert Stach described the current employer offers as "devastating," while the German Retail Federation (HDE) signaled little room for further concessions. The HDE does not expect significant disruption for shoppers, despite the scale of the walkout.

Rallying Across the Country

On Thursday, around 200 workers gathered for a rally in Kiel. Demonstrations are planned for Friday in Erfurt, Berlin, Bochum, and Saarbrücken. Verdi says the protests reflect a broader sense of "lack of appreciation" for an industry that employs millions.

The union already struck on May 15, drawing more than 5,000 participants at roughly 200 stores and distribution centers, including major chains such as Edeka, REWE, and Kaufland. By expanding the action to all federal states, Verdi aims to pile on pressure ahead of the next round of regional negotiations.

Particularly visible impacts are expected at large distribution hubs and key retail locations, though the HDE maintains that customers will see little change on the shop floor.

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