Ver.di reaches landmark collective agreement benefiting German film workers

After a year of negotiations, the UNI Global Union affiliate ver.di and the actors' union BFFS have finalized a new collective agreement with the Produzenten Allianz. This agreement, concluded on October 12, 2024, in Berlin, impacts over 25,000 freelance workers in Germany's film and television production sector.

The agreement introduces reduced working hours, an industry-wide pension plan, wage increases, and initial regulations for the use of AI in film productions. Matthias von Fintel from ver.di stated that these changes set "new historical standards for the industry" and represent "the greatest progress for film workers in Germany in decades."

Significant changes include reducing maximum daily working hours to 12 and offering bonuses for overtime beyond 10 hours. Starting May 2025, additional provisions such as extra paid days off aim to promote a better work-life balance. A four-day workweek once per month is also part of this initiative.