Wage dispute - Warning strikes in northern German ports continue
In several North German ports, employees of the port authorities have continued their warning strike. "It goes on as we began. The container handling stands still," says André Kretschmar, the maritime economy sector leader for Verdi, to the German Press Agency. In the morning, port workers and port workers in Hamburg gave their demands further emphasis with a demonstration at the Central Association of German Port Authorities (ZDS).
Ports in Lower Saxony and Bremen are also affected
The union expected around 2000 participants. After that, a demonstration march was planned. The employees went on strike on Tuesday morning, and ports in Lower Saxony and Bremen are also affected. The fourth round of negotiations in the wage dispute is scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Bremen.
The Hamburg Port had to accept setbacks last year. So, the handling of seagoing goods in the previous year compared to 2022 fell by 4.7 percent to 114.3 million tons - the lowest value since 2009.
Strikes also took place around a month ago
The ZDS urged the union to maintain proportion and reason: "In light of the previously constructive negotiation rounds and the fair offer presented, there is currently no justification for strikes that could affect the reliability of German ports from the ZDS perspective."
Verdi demands 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 and a corresponding increase in shift allowances. The ZDS offered a wage increase of 2.9 percent as of June 1, at least 80 cents more per hour. Shift allowances should reportedly increase by 33 cents to 3.50 euros.
Verdi: High participation in strikes in Lower Saxony
Employees have also increased the pressure on the employer side in Lower Saxony. Since 6:00 am this morning, employees in Emden have laid down their tools. The strike is supposed to last there until this evening (10:00 pm). In Bremerhaven, there is also supposed to be a strike, and the measures are supposed to be continued there until this evening. In Wilhelmshaven, the strike is supposed to end on Thursday morning. The union speaks of a high participation.
There were strikes in several North German ports in the middle of June, including Hamburg, Brake, and Emden. Port workers went on strike then at the central loading and unloading points in Bremerhaven, only a notified crew was in operation.
- The warning strike in several North German ports, including Hamburg, has resulted in a halt in seaport operations, as stated by André Kretschmar from Verdi to the German Press Agency.
- Due to the strike, ports in Lower Saxony and Bremen, like Emden and Bremerhaven, are also experiencing disruptions in their operations.
- The United Services Union is demanding a significant wage increase for their employees, which includes an hourly wage hike of three euros from June 1 and corresponding shift allowance increases, as part of their contract terms.
- The German Press Agency reported that the ZDS, the Central Association of German Port Authorities, urged the union to maintain proportionality and reason in their actions, citing the constructive negotiation rounds and fair offers presented so far.
- Strikes took place around a month ago in several North German ports, including Hamburg, Brake, and Emden, and they continued this month with significant participation, specifically in Lower Saxony.
- Tariff negotiations are scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Bremen, marking the fourth round in the ongoing wage dispute, with both sides hoping for a resolution to the ongoing strike actions.
- French shipowner André Kretschmar, who owns Bremen's Meyer Werft shipyard, voiced his concerns about the strikes affecting German ports and the impact on German trade, which could lead to higher tariffs and tensions with trading partners.
