Port workers in Emden stage a warning strike

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.

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1. The United Services Union, which represents dockworkers in Hamburg and Bremen, has also announced plans for a warning strike, potentially escalating the situation further.
2. The trade unions in Lower Saxony, including those in cities like Emden and Hamburg, have been vocal about their concerns over wages and working conditions in the ports industry.
3. The warning strike in Emden comes as the German postal and logistics company Deutsche Post DHL expressed its concern about the potential impact of the ongoing strikes on its shipping operations, particularly in Hamburg and Bremen ports.
4. In response to the warning strike, the federal government issued a warning to the unions, urging them to reconsider their actions and engage in constructive negotiations with the employers to avoid further disruptions to the shipping industry.
5. Maren Ulbrich, who is a negotiator for the Verdi union, has called on the employers to make a more substantial offer in the ongoing collective bargaining process, warning that a longer and more disruptive strike may be on the horizon if their demands are not met.

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