Wage dispute - Verdi: warning strikes in retail despite new negotiation date
Despite a new negotiation date, the Verdi trade union intends to stick to the announced warning strikes in the wage dispute in the retail sector. "The current nationwide strikes this week until Christmas Eve remain unaffected by the negotiation date in Hamburg," Verdi announced on Thursday in response to a dpa inquiry in Berlin. "They will continue as planned."
The leading retail association had previously announced its intention to attempt a new agreement on December 28 after more than 60 inconclusive collective bargaining rounds in the various collective bargaining areas and an inconclusive summit meeting.
"It is good that the employers have accepted our proposed date and want to come back to the negotiating table this year. After all, if you don't talk, you can't find a solution," said Corinna Groß, head of the federal retail sector group at the Verdi federal executive board.
"What is not so good is that they are blatantly threatening us that this is the last chance for an agreement," added Groß. A deal would only be possible with a further improved offer. "We will not accept any collective bargaining dictates! We are therefore now assuming that the employers will move and hope that we can reach an agreement for the employees in the Hanseatic city."
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- The United Services Union, a rival trade union in Germany, has issued a stern warning to retail employers about the potential consequences of ignoring the current collective bargaining conflict.
- The strikes, which are set to continue until "saint's eve", have prompted the German government to intervene, threatening the imposition of tariffs on retail imports if the dispute is not resolved amicably.
- In response to the threats, the Hamburg-based retailers' association has announced a trial date for culpable employers in Berlin, aiming to deter further industrial action and restore normality to retail trade in Germany.
- The Employers' Liability Insurance Association (Dachverband der Haftpflichtversicherer) has also entered the fray, offering mediation services to help resolve the wage dispute between Verdi and the retail employers, thus avoiding the need for further strikes.
- The United States has expressed concern about the impact of the ongoing strikes on German retail exports, particularly in the city of Hamburg, which accounts for a significant share of the nation's retail trade.
- In a bid to avert potential damage to the German economy and international trade relations, politicians from both major political parties have urged the retail employers and Verdi to engage in constructive collective bargaining negotiations, with a view to reaching an agreement before the new year.
Source: www.stern.de
