Ver.di Union Votes for Renegotiation Amid Unsatisfactory ZDS Proposals
Posted on September 4, 2024 |
Ver.di, the German trade union, has rejected a collective agreement proposal from the Central Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS), signaling growing tensions in the ongoing negotiations. The union's decision reflects dissatisfaction with the terms offered and raises the prospect of potential strikes, which could disrupt operations across the country's seaports. This development marks a critical juncture in the negotiations, as both parties must now revisit the table to address the concerns of the workers and avert further escalation.
A new collective agreement was negotiated in the fourth round, last month (July ‘24) covering 11,500 workers at North Sea ports in Germany. The ZDS (the employers' association) presented two different options, each with varying timeframes. However, a recent survey of ver.di members revealed widespread dissatisfaction with both proposals, prompting employees to call for a renegotiation of the terms. The union emphasised that the offer was completely inadequate for both options.
Option 1 proposes a 12-month agreement that includes an inflation compensation bonus of €1,000, tax-free. Additionally, starting January 1, hourly wages would increase by €0.95, shift bonuses would rise, and an extra annual vacation allowance of €480 would be provided.
Option 2, with a 16-month duration, offers a higher compensation bonus for inflation of €1,400 and a larger increase in hourly wages of €1.15 starting January 1. Similar to Variant 1, it also includes increases in holiday pay and shift bonuses.
Maren Ulbrich, the negotiator for Ver.di, acknowledged that while the ZDS has made some progress by proposing real wage increases in their latest offers, these proposals still need to catch up to the substantial wage hikes and support that employees are seeking in a satisfactory agreement. Ulbrich emphasised that seaport workers labour diligently every day, playing a crucial role in ensuring the availability of essential goods for the population.
Ms. Ulbrich also warned that the initial proposals put forward during the negotiations were inadequate, leading to frustration among employees who are unwilling to accept such low offers. She also hinted at the possibility of additional warning strikes in the future. The expiration of the contract between ZDS and its employees earlier this year (2024) has already triggered periodic warning strikes at ports in Hamburg, Wilhelmshaven, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Emden, and Brake.
In light of the rejected proposals, Ver.di has called on the ZDS to return to the negotiating table with an improved offer that meets the expectations of the workers. As tensions rise and the threat of further strikes looms, the outcome of these renegotiations will be crucial in determining the future stability of operations at Germany's seaports. Both parties now face the challenge of reaching an agreement that balances the needs of the employees with the demands of the industry.