Port workers in Hamburg and Bremen-Bremerhaven have gone on strike to push for better pay concessions from their employers. The union Verdi called for a 48-hour walkout in Hamburg and a 24-hour strike in Bremen and Bremerhaven. Negotiations for a new collective agreement for 11,500 German North Sea port employees have been ongoing since May.
What do we know about the strikes?
The strikes aim to force employers to offer higher wages, particularly for lower pay groups. Verdi demands a €3 hourly wage increase and a shift allowance increase for working unsocial hours. The union believes these increases are crucial, especially due to rising inflation in recent years.
What are the employers saying?
ZDS, the Central Association of German Seaport Operators, views the strikes as unnecessary, considering the constructive negotiations and fair offers made. However, warning strikes have continued, with talks scheduled for later this week in Bremen.
Material from German news agency dpa contributed to this article
Edited by: Wesley Dockery
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