Nearly 200,000 Danish transport workers secure higher wages and quality of life improvements

 ITF News 11 Apr 2025

International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) affiliate 3F Transport has negotiated a landmark new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the transport sector with the Confederation of Danish Industry. 

https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/nearly-200000-danish-transport-workers-secure-higher-wages-and-quality-life-improvements

Under the new CBA, 186,000 employees have achieved wage increases above expected inflation and significant improvements to promote greater work-life balance.

The agreement, which was formally approved this week following a ratification vote by 79.8% of participating union members, applies to workers in a wide range of industries across the transport sector including drivers, warehouse workers and dockers.

Workers will receive a pay increase of 3,000 DKK (approximately 340 GBP) over the course of the three-year agreement and a 1% increase in their employer’s pension contribution from 10 to 11%. 

Recognising the importance of quality of life and family needs, the agreement also provides workers who are within five years of retirement age the option to work a four-day week. 

Parents will gain the right to paid time off to look after a sick child, grandparents are now entitled to two “grandchildren care days” per year, and all employees will have the right to take time off to accompany close family members to medical appointments. 

Signalling a shared consensus around the importance of mental well-being in the world of work, a service to promote wellness and prevent bullying and harassment in the workplace will be launched as a joint initiative between the union and employers. 

According to Flemming Bjørn Overgaard from 3F Transport and ITF Road Transport Section Chair, this sectoral agreement is a direct result of the Scandinavian labour market model which promotes collective bargaining between unions and employers.

The parties have a century-long tradition of seeking solutions through social dialogue, which helps employers avoid the risk of strikes and disruption to their businesses. 

“Our CBAs are becoming more and more important for the workers,” said Overgaard. “They are ensuring decent wages, building upon basic social benefits provided by the Danish welfare state, and providing more tools that add value for workers in their daily working lives.”

“This year’s result delivers higher wages, creates better work-life balance, provides more rights for workers who are near retirement, and commits employers to a joint initiative that will promote employee well-being,” added Overgaard. 

“This is in the interest of us as transport workers but also is to the benefit of employers. Their companies will become more attractive and future-proof.”