Südwestrundfunk (SWR) and unions have reached a collective agreement after nearly a year of negotiations, including strikes. The new contract provides a salary increase of about six percent over 25 months, with larger benefits for lower wage groups and trainees. Salary hikes will occur in two phases, benefiting approximately 3,600 permanent employees and 1,800 freelancers. While the agreement is seen as a positive step, discussions on broadcasting fees and financial reforms are ongoing amid budgetary pressures.
Breakthrough in Negotiations: SWR and Unions Reach Collective Agreement
After nearly a year of intense negotiations and numerous strikes, a significant milestone has been reached between Südwestrundfunk (SWR) and the unions. The German Journalists’ Association (DJV) has heralded this agreement as a pivotal moment, potentially influencing other ARD institutions.
The long-awaited breakthrough comes after months of contentious collective bargaining, resulting in a new contract that promises a salary increase of approximately six percent for SWR employees, implemented in two stages. This agreement, which has a duration of 25 months, is expected to provide substantial benefits for middle and lower wage groups, with increases potentially reaching up to ten percent. Furthermore, trainees and apprentices will see a notable rise in their remuneration.
Details of the Salary Increases
The salary adjustments will occur in two phases: an initial increase of 4.7 percent scheduled for December 2024, followed by an additional boost of around 1.2 percent in January 2026. This enhancement is also anticipated to extend to freelancers working with SWR. Ver.di is currently reviewing the negotiation outcomes with its committees and members.
SWR operates with a workforce of approximately 3,600 permanent employees, supplemented by around 1,800 long-term freelance staff, delivering content for the regions of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. Looking ahead, further discussions are planned for December, as confirmed by various states through the news agency dpa.
DJV has characterized this agreement as a “step in the right direction,” although DJV chairman Mika Beuster noted that it may not be a “dream result.” Nonetheless, given the circumstances, it represents the best achievable outcome. The terms of this moderate agreement will now be considered by the commission responsible for assessing the financial needs of broadcasting institutions (KEF), particularly regarding the implications of increased salaries and fees in their forthcoming recommendations.
Jan Büttner, SWR’s administrative director, emphasized that the agreement strikes a balance between employee interests and the financial realities facing the broadcaster, particularly benefiting those in lower pay tiers who have been disproportionately affected by inflation. Both parties made considerable compromises to reach this accord.
Throughout the past eleven months, collective negotiations have been ongoing across various ARD houses, accompanied by numerous warning strikes that impacted TV and radio programming. Ver.di reported a total of eleven warning strikes at SWR alone during this period.
As the ARD houses navigate a financially uncertain landscape, they are under pressure from the states to streamline costs. Efforts are underway for a comprehensive broadcasting reform aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing programming expenses. The future of the broadcasting fee remains uncertain, with discussions indicating a potential increase from 18.36 euros to 18.94 euros monthly. However, support for this increase is not unanimous among the federal states.