Alerts issued against McDonald's Corporation and associates
The NGG is issuing strike alerts at places like McDonald's, Burger King, Nordsee, and others. The so-called hospitality sector, which also includes chains such as Starbucks, Pizza Hut, and L'Osteria, saw no progress in the second round of salary negotiations. Further discussions for the industry, which employs 120,000 people, will now only happen in November - later than initially planned.
Negotiator Mark Baumeister criticized that the employers "didn't budge an inch in response to the employees' demands" during the second round. As a result, things are about to get heated, he said. Expect protests and strike warnings all over Germany starting the following week.
Due to price hikes over the years, employees have "substantial wage catch-up needs," Baumeister stated. "They're seeking genuine relief and a significant pay increase - instead, the employers didn't even present a new offer for the second negotiation. That's downright disrespectful towards the employees." The NGG is pushing for things like a starting wage of 15 euros in the lowest wage bracket, and an additional 500 euros per month above that.
On the other hand, the Federal Association of System Catering (BdS) argued that the employers had improved their offer, which would lead to a "fair wage agreement" and pointed to a decline in guests, economic uncertainties, and a deteriorated business climate. "The NGG needs to keep moving and work towards a balanced wage agreement with constructive suggestions that are fair to both the employees and the companies in the industry," demanded BdS CEO Markus Suchert.
The NGG's push for a starting wage of 15 euros and an increased salary in the lowest wage bracket is rooted in the field of The system of gastronomy, where employees have significant wage catch-up needs due to price hikes over the years. Despite these demands, the employers' lack of new offer during the second round of negotiations was viewed as disrespectful and potentially harmful to the entire industry, employing 120,000 people.
