Strike in Hamburg spreads

Port workers in Hamburg initiated a strike on Tuesday and Wednesday to bolster their wage demands, an action that has now extended to other major German ports, including Wilhelmshaven, Bremen, and Emden.

On Wednesday, protesters gathered in front of the headquarters of the Association of German Port Operators (ZDS) in Hamburg, demonstrating their dissatisfaction with ongoing wage negotiations.

Following their Hamburg colleagues, port workers in Wilhelmshaven, Bremen, and Emden have also joined the strike. While the exact number of participating employees remains unclear, reports indicate a significant turnout.

As a result of the strikes, operations at the ports have been severely disrupted, with ships unable to load or unload, leading to congestion at container terminals.

In Hamburg, the strike was expected to continue until early Thursday morning, with normal operations resuming later in the day. “The terminals are already preparing to resume operations and plan to compensate for the delays of the past few days as quickly as possible,” said an HHLA spokesman.

The strike stems from protracted collective bargaining negotiations. The Verdi union is advocating for a new collective agreement for approximately 11,500 employees at German North Sea ports. Despite multiple discussions, no agreement has been reached with employers.

Verdi is demanding a €3 increase in hourly wages to offset the rising cost of living, along with higher shift bonuses. In contrast, ZDS has proposed a 2.9% wage increase.

The fourth round of negotiations is scheduled for Thursday and Friday.