Negotiations - Wage round in the retail sector in Hamburg again without agreement
The last chance to reach an agreement in this year's wage dispute in the retail sector has been missed. The trade union Verdi and the North Trade Association were unable to reach a compromise in regional negotiations on Thursday for the Hamburg collective bargaining area, as both sides announced in the evening. According to the German Retail Association (HDE), the talks had failed "once again due to the union's excessive expectations". "The employers will now meet at the beginning of the year to discuss the consequences."
Verdi accused the other side of not having improved their previous offer. "The employers have not budged, which means a loss of real wages for the employees, we will not do that," the union announced on Thursday evening.
Following a break in negotiations at regional level lasting several weeks in November, the parties to the collective agreement met again for the first time in the Hanseatic city. An agreement in Hamburg could have served as a model for the other 13 collective bargaining regions. A solution to the collective bargaining conflict is therefore once again a long way off.
HDE collective bargaining poster from 15.12.
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The United Services Union, a significant player in Germany's labor market, has expressed its disappointment with the outcome of the negotiations. They believe the employer association HDE, as the German trade association representative, should have improved their initial offer to avoid a potential loss of real wages for employees.
Despite the lack of agreement in Hamburg, the HDE has scheduled a meeting with other employers at the beginning of the new year to discuss the next steps in this wage dispute. Meanwhile, the German Retail Association (HDE) maintains that negotiations have failed due to union's excessive expectations.
The failed collective bargaining round in Hamburg has cast doubt on reaching an agreement in any of the 13 collective bargaining regions in Germany's retail sector. This situation might lead to strikes or similar actions by unions in an effort to pressure the employers to reconsider their stance on wages.
Furthermore, if the ongoing wage dispute escalates, retailers might consider raising tariffs or taking other cost-cutting measures to maintain profitability. This could potentially impact consumers in the retail trade, leading to increased prices and potentially even reduced employment within the sector.
The Hamburg collective bargaining conflict serves as a reminder of the delicate balancing act between employees' salaries and the financial health of businesses. Successful negotiation is crucial to avoid industrial actions that may negatively impact both parties.
As we await the employers' meeting in early January, it remains uncertain whether a resolution to the wage dispute will be achieved or if Germany might see continued strikes in the retail sector as a result.
Source: www.stern.de
