Warning strike in the confectionery industry: employees are demanding fair wages

warning strikes in the confectionery industry: Employees demand more salary

19.08.2024, 03:03 pm

in the sweet world of chocolate and confectionery brews something. Today, employees of the confectionery industry in various regions of Germany are called up to a warning strike to draw attention to their demands. The food-consumption-enjoyment union (NGG) union awaits that between 700 and 800 employees will take part in the protest, which will culminate in the city center of Hamburg. These demonstrations are a clear expression of dissatisfaction with the current collective bargaining in the industry.

The employees organized by the NGG who work in companies such as Unilever, Nestlé and Barry Callebaut are fed up with the fact that their salaries do not keep up with inflation and increasing living costs. According to the union representatives, the increases offered by employers are completely inadequate. The NGG calls for a salary increase of 9.9 percent, which would mean at least 360 euros more per month, and that in the context of a one -year contract.

Current collective bargaining and different positions

The situation is tense because, according to the Federal Association of the German confectionery industry (BDSI) in Bonn, employers only offer a increase in salary in two steps: In Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, an increase of 3.1 and 2.6 percent is on the agenda, but over a period of 28 months. In Lower Saxony and Bremen, employers offer a little less: 2.8 and 2.2 percent over 27 months.

The termination of several collective agreements by the NGG in May got the stone rolling and increasing the pressure on employers. Already on August 12 of this year, around 500 employees took part in a large demonstration in Lübeck to fight for their rights. According to the NGG, around 5,000 employees are active in the entire industry, and today's strikes are a clear indication that the patience of the union and its members is disappearing.

The negotiations in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein are to be continued on August 28, while Lower Saxony and Bremen are preparing for September 5. The BDSI supports all tariff area negotiations and is accompanied by regional associations. The fact that negotiations are currently taking place in six tariff areas shows the far -reaching nature of the problem in the confectionery industry.

background of the strikes

warning strikes are a frequently used means in trade union clashes to exert pressure on employers and strengthen the negotiating position. This type of strike is a temporary strike that does not lead to a complete work, but rather acts as a signal that the workforce is determined to stand up for its claims. The fact that there were similar strikes in downtown Hamburg in 2023 shows that the problems in the industry stop and represent a constant source of dissatisfaction.

The NGG's demands are part of a larger trend in which employees in various industries and regions fight for better working conditions and higher wages. The strikes in the confectionery industry are an example of the growing movement among employees who always strive for just wages and fair conditions in many sectors.

An important aspect that should not be neglected is the economic situation. In view of the increasing inflation and the associated higher living costs, the demands of the employees are quite understandable. It remains to be seen how the employers will react to the pressure that arises from the warning strikes and whether there is an agreement that meets the needs of employees.

course of the collective bargaining

The current conflict in the confectionery industry is not only an argument about wages, but also reflects broader structural challenges with which the industry is faced. The NGG union and employers have been trying to reach an agreement for several months, but there are significant differences in the demands regarding salary increases. The leading companies in the industry such as Unilever, Nestlé and Barry Callebaut are under increasing pressure to not only remain competitive, but also to improve the working conditions of their employees.

Important aspects of the negotiations are also the different regional conditions. While employers in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein offer a moderate wage increase, this varies in other federal states such as Lower Saxony. The BDSI pointed out that the contracts continue to run in some regions, which influences the dynamics of the negotiations.

planned protest actions and their importance

The warning strikes organized by the NGG are part of a strategy to increase the pressure on employers and to draw attention to the dissatisfaction of the employees. The planned protest in downtown Hamburg will not only mobilize the union members, but also encourage other employees and the public to support the concerns of the employees.

Historically, such strikes have often led to significant improvements in working conditions and wages. Similar actions in the past, such as the strikes in the metal and electrical industry, have proven that collective mobilization can have a decisive influence on the negotiation results. The NGG may be planning an ongoing strike if negotiations do not make progress in the coming months.

economic effects of the collective bargaining conflicts

The confectionery industry is an important sector of the German economy, and the current collective bargaining can have far -reaching economic consequences. According to the BDSI, the industry generated total sales of around 13 billion euros in 2022. Changes in wages and working conditions could affect companies themselves, but also on the entire value chain.

A significant increase in wages could lead to companies to have to rethink their supply chains and production strategies in order to continue to remain profitable. Especially in a competitive market, as the confectionery industry represents it, it is crucial that employers and employees work together to find solutions that promote both fair wages and economic growth.

FAZIT

The continuing strikes and collective bargaining in the confectionery industry are exemplary for the struggle for just wages and better working conditions. The development of the talks in the coming weeks will be crucial, both for the employees and for the future of the industry as a whole. Overall, the company is called to actively pursue this question, since the well -being of the employees has a direct impact on economic stability and social structure.