The German trade union, Verdi, and the Central Association of German Seaports (ZDS) reached an agreement on a new collective labour agreement just before the weekend.

The agreement will affect 11,500 employees working in the German North Sea ports. The deal came after five rounds of negotiations, which had been marked by strikes and work stoppages in various North Sea ports.

Verdi has announced that it will conduct a member survey on the proposal. The union’s Federal Collective Bargaining Commission has recommended that members accept the offer. A decision on the agreement will be made on 27 September 2024, based on the results of the survey.

The new collective agreement will last for 14 months until 31 July 2025. Employees will receive a one-time tax-free inflation compensation bonus of €1,700, to be paid in October. Part-time employees will also receive the full bonus.

Additionally, from 1 October 2024, employees’ hourly wages will increase by €1.15. Shift allowances, as well as payments for work on Sundays and public holidays, will also see a significant boost. Furthermore, holiday pay will rise to €430 starting next year.

The negotiations between Verdi and the ZDS were challenging. Employers made two final offers during the fourth round of discussions, but both were rejected by Verdi members as insufficient. The failure to agree led to further strikes and disruptions in seaport operations.

The German trade union, Verdi, and the Central Association of German Seaports (ZDS) reached an agreement on a new collective labour agreement just before the weekend.

The agreement will affect 11,500 employees working in the German North Sea ports. The deal came after five rounds of negotiations, which had been marked by strikes and work stoppages in various North Sea ports.

Verdi has announced that it will conduct a member survey on the proposal. The union’s Federal Collective Bargaining Commission has recommended that members accept the offer. A decision on the agreement will be made on 27 September 2024, based on the results of the survey.

The new collective agreement will last for 14 months until 31 July 2025. Employees will receive a one-time tax-free inflation compensation bonus of €1,700, to be paid in October. Part-time employees will also receive the full bonus.

Additionally, from 1 October 2024, employees’ hourly wages will increase by €1.15. Shift allowances, as well as payments for work on Sundays and public holidays, will also see a significant boost. Furthermore, holiday pay will rise to €430 starting next year.

The negotiations between Verdi and the ZDS were challenging. Employers made two final offers during the fourth round of discussions, but both were rejected by Verdi members as insufficient. The failure to agree led to further strikes and disruptions in seaport operations.