Wage dispute - Verdi calls for warning strikes in the port of Hamburg
The trade union Verdi is calling for round-the-clock strikes in the Hamburg Port. With work stoppages on Tuesday and Wednesday, pressure on the employers in the wage negotiations for port workers is to be increased, Verdi announced in Berlin. The strikes are to begin with the early shift on Tuesday, it was stated. The workers are called upon to first strike decentrally in front of their workplaces in the Hamburg Port on Tuesday, and there will be a demonstration through the city on Wednesday.
"We were still far apart in the third round of negotiations," said Verdi negotiator Maren Ulbrich. An offer from the employers was deemed unacceptable by her. The fourth round of negotiations between Verdi and the Central Association of German Seaport Employers (ZDS) is planned for July 11 and 12 in Bremen. There were already warning strikes in several North German ports in June.
Verdi is demanding for the employees during a contract term of twelve months, among other things, an increase in hourly wages by three Euros retroactively from June 1, as well as a corresponding increase in shift allowances. The inflation of the past years has particularly affected the lower wage groups, Ulbrich said.
- The United Services Union, known as Verdi, has chosen to organize round-the-clock strikes at the Seaport of Hamburg in Germany.
- These work stoppages are planned for Tuesday and Wednesday, aiming to intensify the pressure on the employers during the wage negotiations for port workers.
- The United Services Union has encouraged its members to initiate decentralized strikes at their respective workplaces within the Port of Hamburg on Tuesday, followed by a demonstration through the city on Wednesday.
- In Berlin, Verdi negotiator Maren Ulbrich expressed her concerns, stating that they are still far from reaching an agreement with the employers in the third round of negotiations.
- The employers' proposal during the third round was deemed unacceptable by Maren Ulbrich, leading to the escalation of the situation, including potential tariffs and wage disputes.
- The Trade Union and the Central Association of German Seaport Employers (ZDS) have agreed to resume negotiations on July 11 and 12 in Bremen, with a history of warning strikes already taking place in other North German seaports, such as Hamburg.
