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After two decades in which strong coordination of sector-specific annual wage negotiations led to wage deflation, the 2021 autumn bargaining round marks a break with that trend, made possible by the contrary motion of the two major sectors. In metalworking, strongly combative unions have been able to extract significant wage increases, creating a knock-on effect. Meanwhile, in the services sector, the collapse of the leading role traditionally played by the trade sector has allowed several sectors to secure above-inflation increases.