In July 2024, the pharmacy union ADEXA and the employer association of German pharmacies (ADA) concluded a new salary collective agreement. This step marks a significant progress for the around 65,000 pharmacy employees in Germany who will benefit from the new regulations. The negotiations were described as challenging but ultimately successful.
Background and demands
ADEXA terminated the existing collective agreement by 31 December 2023 and demanded a salary increase of 10.5% to meet the increased cost of living and inflation. In 2022, the inflation rate was 7.9%, and a rate of 6.0% was forecasted for 2023, leading to significant real wage losses for pharmacy employees.
New salary structures
Starting from 1 July 2024, the new collective agreement will come into force, which applies to all professional groups and chamber districts (except North Rhine and Saxony). Here are some of the key points of the new contract:
- Salary increases: The salaries of pharmacy employees will be raised differently depending on years of experience and qualifications. For example, employees in the first and second year of work will now receive 2,306 euros, while those in the tenth to thirteenth year will receive 2,523 euros.For experienced employees with over 14 years of professional experience, the salary increases to 2,687 euros. [6]
Training allowances: The allowances for trainees have also been increased. PKA trainees in the first year of training now receive 850 euros instead of the previous 793 euros. In the second and third year of training, the allowances increase to 900 euros and 950 euros respectively. [6][7] Working hours and vacation: From August 2024, the weekly working hours will be reduced from 40 to 39 hours. The holiday entitlement is increased from 34 to 35 days per year, with an additional day off for employees with more than four years of seniority. [6] Additional agreements
In addition to the immediate changes from July 2024, a further salary increase of 3 percent has been agreed from January 2026. These regulations are intended to make the pharmacy industry more attractive to professionals and counteract the ongoing shortage of skilled workers. [6][9]
Reactions and assessments
Reactions to the new collective agreement are largely positive. Tanja Kratt, Federal Executive and Head of the ADEXA Collective Bargaining Commission, emphasized the need for salary increases in light of high inflation and the increase in the statutory minimum wage. She highlighted that the new regulations are fair for all professional groups and particularly emphasized the importance of further training and education. [5][9]
The ADA stated that investments in personnel are essential to secure the future of pharmacies.Andreas May of the ADEXA board added that the salary increases are an important signal to the industry to remain attractive to qualified professionals.
The new salary collective agreement between ADEXA and ADA represents an important step towards improving working conditions and ensuring fair wages for pharmacy employees. The agreements are intended to not only better cover current living costs, but also to increase the attractiveness of the pharmacy workplace. This is especially a positive sign for the industry and its employees in times of skilled labor shortages and economic challenges.
For further information and detailed salary tables, you can visit the official websites of ADEXA and ADA or consult current publications in professional journals such as the "Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung."
