Verdi announces further warning strikes in the retail sector
In the wage dispute in the retail sector in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the trade union Verdi is once again attempting to put pressure on employers with warning strikes this Friday and Saturday. Employees at Rewe and Penny stores in Schwerin and Boizenburg, at Kaufland stores in Schwerin, Bentwisch, Gägelow and Kritzow, at H&M in Schwerin and Wismar and at Ikea in Rostock have been called to strike, the union announced on Thursday.
"The current offer must still be seen as a blockade by the employers," said Verdi negotiator Bert Stach. The employers are currently offering to increase wages by six percent from October 2023 and by four percent from July 2024. According to Verdi, an inflation compensation premium, which is also part of the offer, is to be offset against corresponding benefits already paid.
Verdi rejected the offer as "completely inadequate". The union is demanding an increase in wages and salaries of 2.50 euros per hour for retail employees and an increase in hourly wages to 13.50 euros for the lower groups of employees. The retail sector employs over 55,000 people in MV.
Christian Lahrtz, the employers' chief negotiator, emphasized after the unsuccessful fourth round on 1 November that "the end of the line" had been reached. The employers' offer was already challenging for many companies, but was still just about acceptable overall. According to the Northern Trade Association, an agreement is no longer to be expected this year. A next negotiation date has not been set.
Amidst this ongoing wage dispute, some retailers might consider implementing tariffs on certain goods to offset the potential loss from the strikes. Employing such tariffs could be a strategic move to maintain profitability during this period of trade disruption.
In response to the ongoing trade disruption caused by the strikes, some importers and exporters may explore alternatives to traditional trading routes, potentially leading to changes in global trade patterns.
Source: www.dpa.com
