In food industry workplaces a non-contractual state will begin on 1 February 2025, as collective agreements will no longer apply.

All collective agreements for food industry workers between SEL and ETL will expire on 31 January 2025. Since new collective agreements have not yet been agreed, non-contractual state in food industry workplaces will begin on 1 February 2025.

In a non-contractual state, there is no obligation to maintain industrial peace, which means that the parties can accelerate negotiations through industrial action.

However, the terms of employment remain in practice thanks to the so-called after-effect. For example, the employer cannot reduce employees’ wages or extend working hours on their own during a non-contractual state. The terms of the old collective agreement apply until the new collective agreement is signed.

The next round of negotiations between SEL and ETL on new collective agreements for food industry workers will take place on 3 February 2025. Five collective agreements are being negotiated: those for workers in the bakery, meat, dairy, industry and brewing and soft drinks sectors, covering around 25 000 workers.

If SEL is forced to use industrial actions to achieve a collective agreement, the union is responsible for the legality of the measures. Participation in an industrial action declared by the union cannot result in sanctions for an individual employee. SEL members will receive strike pay of 100 euros per shift during a strike.

If you have any questions, contact the SEL’s shop steward at your workplace. If your workplace does not yet have a shop steward, you can call the union 09 4246​ 1200.