The Verdi trade union is increasing the pressure on employers in the collective bargaining dispute between the federal and local public services with further warning strikes in Hamburg. While employees of the day-care centers and social institutions stopped work for a day on Wednesday, the Hadag ferries have been standing still since Thursday.
On Friday, as part of the second nationwide wave of warning strikes, employees of the city cleaning and the State Opera are to go on strike up to and including Sunday. Employees of the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) are called on Friday for a one-day warning strike, as Verdi announced on Thursday.
The warning strike days are accompanied by a demonstration on Gänsemarkt and rallies in front of the tax authorities, the town hall and the trade union building not far from the main train station. According to Verdi, up to 1000 participants are expected. The demonstration at Gänsemarkt begins at 9 a.m. on Friday morning.
The Verdi union is demanding 10.5 percent more wages for the around 2.5 million employees in the federal and local public services nationwide, but at least 500 euros more per month. The employer side has so far offered five percent more money in two steps and one-off payments totaling 2500 euros. The third round of negotiations is scheduled for March 27-29 in Potsdam.
The employees finally wanted a noticeable financial relief, said Verdi union secretary Ole Borgard. “Inflation is galloping and for many colleagues, with earnings of 2400 euros, there is too much month left at the end of the money.” Verbal appreciation is not enough in these difficult times, emphasized the head of the Verdi waste management department.
