Effective collective wage agreements are an important aspect of social partnership in Germany as these agreements set out the minimum standards for working conditions and payment terms. The chemical and pharmaceutical industry have a long-standing tradition of a pluralistic wage policy that is characterised by a constructive, trusting cooperation between the social partners. As a professional trade union, the VAA has concluded a framework collective agreement with its social partners. This agreement applies to university graduates with degrees in the natural sciences and technical disciplines.

The only cases in which the framework collective agreement does not apply to employees in executive positions (Leitende Angestellte – LA) are if the terms agreed upon in the individual contracts correspond at least to the conditions of the framework collective agreement in every respect. Particularly distinctive elements include, first and foremost, very long notice periods and claims for compensation that pay well above average in the event of post-contractual non-competition clauses in favour of the employer.

The VAA concludes a collective salary agreement for young professionals with the Federal Association of Employers in Chemistry (Bundesarbeitgeberverband Chemie – BAVC). This is where the amount of the annual salary for the second year of employment is regulated.

Salaries for the first year of employment are agreed on a discretionary basis. For the second year of employment, the collectively agreed minimum annual remuneration for the 2024 calendar year is:

€ 74,050 for graduate employees and employees with a Master’s degree,
€ 86,075 for employees with a PhD.

The increase is in line with the general development of rates in collective pay agreements.

The salaries for 2024 will continue to apply until a new collective wage agreement is concluded in early summer 2025. The salary adjustment for 2025 will be made retroactively following the collective wage agreement.

After the second year of employment, the salaries of employees are to be periodically reviewed in accordance with company practice and, depending on activity and performance, will continue to rise in comparison with the relevant collectively agreed minimum annual salaries.