Next warning strike in German ports is rolling

From Thursday morning the dock workers are on strike.

JULY 13, 2022

In the German ports there is a strike for the third time within a few weeks. According to media information, the port workers want to stop work for 48 hours with the start of the early shift on Thursday in order to emphasize their demands in the wage conflict. Ships will then probably no longer be processed. The warning strike is scheduled to last until 6 a.m. on Saturday, it would be the longest for more than 40 years.

Improved offer rejected

A week ago, the sixth round of negotiations between the Verdi union and the Central Association of German Seaport Companies (ZDS) ended without a result. The employers had improved their offer again, they offer up to 12.5 percent spread over two years. Verdi calls for at least inflation compensation, and that for all employees. In addition, renegotiations are to take place after one year.

"We need real inflation compensation so that employees in all companies are not left alone with the consequences of the galloping price increases," Verdi negotiator Maya Schwiegershausen-Güth justified the Verdi collective bargaining committee's no to the employer's offer. Employers argued that they could not afford more without jeopardizing the survival of companies. The renewed escalation in the tariff conflict means that more and more ships are queuing in front of the ports.

Employers at the limit

Almost three weeks ago, port workers with the start of the early shift largely paralyzed the handling of container and cargo ships in Germany's major North Sea ports with a 24-hour warning strike. The ports of Hamburg, Emden, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Brake and Wilhelmshaven were affected. Before that, there were no work stoppages among dockers for many years. Around 12,000 people work in the 58 collective bargaining companies in Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Bremen. (dpa/ben)