Shortly before the start of the beer garden season, the Bavarian brewers and the NGG trade union agreed on a collective bargaining agreement. With a term of 24 months, the approximately 10,000 employees will receive 285 euros more from June 1, 2024, and salaries will then increase by a further 3.9 percent from March 1, 2024, as the Bavarian Brewers' Association announced on Thursday. According to the NGG, this corresponds to an overall increase of 11.7 percent. In addition, the employees will receive an inflation compensation bonus of 3,000 euros in three tranches. For the trainees there is not only more money but also improvements in days off.

The tariff conflict could only be resolved by arbitration in 14-hour negotiations, which lasted into the night from Wednesday to Thursday. The Brauerbund sees the result as "an enormous additional burden". But they were faced with a difficult choice: "Accept an arbitration decision that is difficult to justify or risk a strike with an uncertain result."

At the NGG, on the other hand, one speaks of an important and urgently needed step, which was only achieved through the great determination of the employees. "If the arbitration had failed, the brewing kettles would have stayed cold from next week," said negotiator Mustafa Öz.