Labor struggle - Union announces warning strikes in confectionery industry
In the Bavarian confectionery industry, production of ice cream, chocolate or gummy bears is threatened with strikes, according to the Nahrung, Genuss, Gaststätten (NGG) union. "The strikes will significantly hamper the production of confectionery in all of Bavaria," said NGG-Chief Mustafa Öz.
Demand for 9.9% more wages
The union demands a 9.9% wage increase for the 5,900 employees in the industry in Bavaria. The strikes would partially paralyze production at larger companies such as Froneri Schöller, Lambertz or Lebkuchen Schmidt, the union announced.
The negotiations have stalled, it was reported. The first round of negotiations on Tuesday ended without results. "The employers' offer is bitter for the employees in the confectionery industry," said NGG negotiator Öz.
Employers' offer based on inflation
The employers' offer was at 2.8% for the first 12 months and 2.1% for the following year – for a total duration of 24 months. The German Confectionery Industry Federation considers the offer fair. It significantly exceeds the current inflation rate of 2.2%. The postponement of the negotiations to September was agreed upon mutually.
- The NGG union, pointing towards the potential labor struggle in Bavaria's confectionery industry, issued a warning about potentialimpacts on chocolate, ice cream, and gummy bear production in Munich.
- Due to the impasse in negotiations, the Trade Union considered implementing Warning Strikes, which could partially disrupt production at prominent companies like Froneri Schöller, Lambertz, and Lebkuchen Schmidt.
- Mustafa Öz, NGG-Chief, conveyed the union's dissatisfaction with the employers' offer of a 2.8% wage increase in the first 12 months and 2.1% in the following year, citing it as "bitter for the employees" in the confectionery industry.
- The German Confectionery Industry Federation, however, regarded the employers' offer as fair, emphasizing that it significantly surpassed the current inflation rate of 2.2%.
- In response to the lack of progress in negotiations, both parties agreed to postpone discussions until September, hoping to find a mutually acceptable solution that benefits both the employer and the employees in the confectionery industry.
