Amazon raises logistics wages from September – Verdi sticks to demand for collective bargaining agreement

The new minimum hourly wage in the network average is therefore at least 18 euros, well over four euros more than the statutory minimum wage of 13.90 euros. Amazon cites an annual income of around 41,600 euros at 40 hours of weekly work for those who have already worked at the logistics company for at least two years. This includes fixed annual bonuses totaling 2,400 euros. The weekly working hours for logistics employees range between 35 and 40 hours; skilled workers and employees in management positions earn more. The new hourly wage cited by Amazon is the "network average" – at some locations, such as in the Munich area, it is above this, at others below, for example in eastern Germany.

Wage increase and site expansion

Germany chief Rocco Bräuniger stated that the company invests "in wettbewerbsfähige Vergütung und langfristige Karrieremöglichkeiten". Amazon describes itself as "ein fairer und verantwortungsvoller Arbeitgeber", even without a collective bargaining agreement. The company also announced the construction of additional locations: in Könnern (Saxony-Anhalt), another logistics center with around 1,000 jobs is being built; this location could go into operation at the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028. At the end of this year, a new logistics center with around 1,000 jobs is to be opened in Zweibrücken (Saarland).

Amazon has more than 40,000 employees in Germany, with the figure rising. The company has 23 logistics centers, 9 sortation centers, and more than 70 distribution centers in Germany. The goal is for stored goods to be as close to the customer as possible and therefore delivered to them as quickly as possible. Not included in the wage increase are Amazon parcel couriers. They work for subcontractors that receive orders from Amazon – parcel delivery is therefore outsourced.

Verdi sticks to collective bargaining demand

The Verdi union reacted cautiously to the announced increase. Verdi federal board member Silke Zimmer said: "Trotz der Lohnerhöhungen bleibt es dabei: Die Beschäftigten fordern rechtsverbindliche Tarifverträge des Einzel- und Versandhandels und Verhandlungen auf Augenhöhe." The annual pay for a late shift under the collective bargaining agreement for retail and mail order in NRW is cited as an example, at around 42,200 euros. That is more than an Amazon employee receives. However, the exemplary pay cited by Verdi refers to an old collective bargaining agreement from 2024; a new one is in the works.

Verdi has long criticized sharply the fact that Amazon in Germany has not concluded a collective bargaining agreement with any union and sets wages itself. The union repeatedly calls for warning strikes at Amazon, whose impact has so far remained limited. The union demands a ban on the use of subcontractors in the parcel industry because working conditions at subcontractors are often poor. Parcel couriers should instead be directly employed by the logistics companies.

Collective bargaining structure and outlook

The collective bargaining structure in retail is complicated, according to Verdi, with 36 collective bargaining regions and a corresponding number of collective agreements. Verdi demands a more far-reaching step than the announced increase. Whether electronics, books, or kitchen appliances: the selection at online retailer Amazon is large. According to its own figures, Amazon has raised wages every year since 2014.

The next collective bargaining round in retail and mail order is still ongoing; a new agreement is expected in the coming months. This could also change the comparative figures with which Verdi evaluates Amazon's wages. At Amazon, the issue of collective bargaining remains a central point of contention with the union.

The business development of the group in Germany remains expansive in the meantime: with the announced new locations in Könnern and Zweibrücken as well as rising employee numbers, the US retail giant is continuing to expand its logistics infrastructure in Germany. Verdi announced that it would maintain pressure on the company even after the latest wage increase.