Imminent Nationwide Strike Threatens German Dairy Industry Amid Wage Disputes
Source: The DairyNews
German dairy workers are gearing up for a potential nationwide strike that could disrupt operations across the industry if wage negotiations fail to reach a resolution next week.
The looming strike follows a series of 'warning strikes' involving approximately 19,000 employees across 28 dairy and cheese factories throughout Bavaria.
The food trade union, Gewerkschaft Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten (NGG), is set to enter a third round of wage negotiations with major dairy companies, including Danone, Ehrmann, and Nestlé, on Monday, July 22. According to Mustafa Öz, the chief negotiator and regional chairman of NGG Bayern, the strikes have significantly impacted production, paralyzing over 90 shifts and resulting in substantial losses.
The union has demanded a monthly wage increase of €411 ($447) per employee. In contrast, the employers' current offer stands at a €150 fixed increase for the first year and a 2.5% pay rise for the subsequent year. Öz emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We are sending the employers a clear signal: there are only a few hours left until the next meeting at the collective bargaining table. But until then, the warning strikes will continue non-stop."
The union argues that a fixed wage increase would ensure equitable benefits for all employees, including those traditionally earning lower wages, such as production and warehouse workers. As the deadline for negotiations approaches, the industry faces a critical juncture that could significantly influence labor relations and production dynamics within the German dairy sector.
The food trade union, Gewerkschaft Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten (NGG), is set to enter a third round of wage negotiations with major dairy companies, including Danone, Ehrmann, and Nestlé, on Monday, July 22. According to Mustafa Öz, the chief negotiator and regional chairman of NGG Bayern, the strikes have significantly impacted production, paralyzing over 90 shifts and resulting in substantial losses.
The union has demanded a monthly wage increase of €411 ($447) per employee. In contrast, the employers' current offer stands at a €150 fixed increase for the first year and a 2.5% pay rise for the subsequent year. Öz emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We are sending the employers a clear signal: there are only a few hours left until the next meeting at the collective bargaining table. But until then, the warning strikes will continue non-stop."
The union argues that a fixed wage increase would ensure equitable benefits for all employees, including those traditionally earning lower wages, such as production and warehouse workers. As the deadline for negotiations approaches, the industry faces a critical juncture that could significantly influence labor relations and production dynamics within the German dairy sector.
