Transporting goods via waterway - Port workers in Emden stage a warning strike
Harbor workers in Emden, represented by the Verdi union, launched a warning strike on a Friday morning. The labor disruption hit the first shift of EVAG Emder Verkehrs- und Automotive GmbH, as confirmed by negotiator Maren Ulbrich. The strike started at 6:00 am and was set to end after 2:00 pm. Around 50 union members took part in the warning strike.
With similar actions by dockworkers in Hamburg, Bremen, and Bremerhaven, Emden's work stoppage marks the fourth strike amid the ongoing collective bargaining process. Following a fruitless second round of negotiations on June 6, Verdi feels the employers have yet to come up with a fair proposal for discussions. The second round of talks is slated for June 17 and 18.
Verdi is pushing for a three-euro hourly wage uptick, effective as of June 1. This demand also involves adjustments to shift allowances, including back payments for missed shift allowance hikes in the 2022 tariff deal. The proposed agreement would be valid for 12 months. Considering the surging inflation rates, Ulbrich emphasized the necessity of boosting income for lower pay brackets.
