Protest campaign by the Verdi union brings sea port companies to a standstill

Protest campaign by the Verdi union brings sea port companies to a standstill

High participation in warning strikes of the port workers in northern Germany

The port workers in the northern German harbor cities show strong solidarity by participating in the warning strikes initiated by the Verdi union. The warning strikes started in Emden this morning at 6:00 a.m. and are expected to last until 10 p.m. until this evening. In Bremerhaven there is also a strike, where the measures will also be continued until tonight. In Wilhelmshaven, the warning strike is expected to end on Thursday morning. The Verdi union praises the high participation of the workers in the strikes.

The demands of the Verdi union are clear: it requires an increase in hourly wages by three euros from June 1st and a corresponding increase in the shifting surcharges for employees in the seaports. Contrary to this, the central association of the German seaport companies (ZDS) offers a wage increase of 2.9 percent from June 1st, or at least an increase of 80 cents per hour. The layer surcharges should also be increased in order to meet the working conditions.

the ZDS calls on the union to protect proportionality in the strikes. He argues that in view of the previously constructive negotiations and the fair offer, there is no reason for strikes that could endanger the reliability of German seaports.

The fourth round of negotiations to accommodate the collective bargaining dispute is planned for Thursday and Friday in Bremen. Warning strikes had already taken place in various northern German ports in June, including in Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Brake and Emden. The participation of the port workers in the strikes shows their determination to stand up for fairer working conditions.

- Nag