Wage dispute - Another warning strike at the Port of Hamburg
Before the fourth round of negotiations in the wage dispute at the port companies, employees and the union Verdi are once again taking action. Early in the morning, numerous port workers in Hamburg laid down their work for a two-day warning strike. "The container handling has come to a standstill at a large number of handling facilities, the first day of the warning strike is a full success from our perspective (...)", said the maritime industry sector leader of Verdi, André Kretschmar, responsible for the port economy. In the afternoon, port workers in Bremerhaven also wanted to join the warning strike: Around 3,200 employees from Bremen and Bremerhaven were supposed to paralyze the port, as a Verdi spokesperson said. Approximately 600 women and men had laid down their work at the start.
For Hamburg, Verdi called on employees to stay on strike on Wednesday or to lay down their work again - and not before the end of the night shift. At 10:00 am, a demonstration is planned before the seat of the German Port Association ZDS. In the afternoon, a demonstration procession is planned from the HHLA logistics center to the trade union building, where a closing rally is scheduled around midday. The fourth round of negotiations is planned for Thursday and Friday in Bremen. At the start of the negotiations, a rally is planned, said a spokesperson for the union. A warning strike is also planned in Emden.
Verdi is demanding for employees during a contract period of twelve months, among other things, an increase in hourly wages by three euros, effective from June 1, and a corresponding increase in shift allowances. The Central Association of German Port Companies last offered a wage increase of 2.9 percent from June 1, at least 80 cents more per hour. The shift allowances are supposed to increase by 33 cents to 3.50 euros.
The ZDS urged the union to exercise restraint in the exercise of the right to strike. "In the light of the previously constructive negotiation rounds and the fair offer presented, there is currently no justification for warning strikes from the perspective of the ZDS that could endanger the reliability of the German ports."
Already in mid-June, there were warning strikes in several North German ports, including Hamburg, Brake, and Emden. Port workers had also blocked the central access and exit to the terminals in Bremerhaven, only a notified crew was in operation. Over 1,000 employees were involved according to Verdi.
- The current tariff dispute between the port companies and Verdi has led to a negotiation round in Bremen, scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
- The United Services Union, represented by spokesperson André Kretschmar, praised the success of the warning strike in Hamburg's port.
- Women and men from various handling facilities in Hamburg participated in the initial stages of the warning strike, affecting container handling.
- Tariff disagreements extend beyond Hamburg, as Verdi plans a strike in the neighboring port of Bremerhaven, affecting over 3,200 employees.
- During the warning strike in Bremerhaven, Verdi's men and women aimed to halt operations at the port, causing significant disruptions.
- The employer, the Central Association of German Port Companies, countered Verdi's demands for a wage increase and shift allowance hike by offering a more modest offer.
- The Port Association ZDS in Germany urged Verdi to exercise caution in striking, arguing that the previous negotiation rounds and the offered terms do not warrant such actions.
- The history of the dispute is long, with warning strikes occurring in other North German ports like Brake and Emden in mid-June.
