Koblenz expands

The German union Verdi and ZDS reached a new labour agreement for 11,500 North Sea port workers, pending a member vote.

Negotiations for a new collective agreement at Germany’s North Sea ports are stalled as employees and the union reject the employers’ offers.

The Verdi union presented its members with two collective labour agreement options from the ZDS, affecting around 11,000 port employees.

A strike over wage demands spreads to Wilhelmshaven, Bremen, and Emden, causing significant disruptions in operations and congestion at container terminals.

Workers at Hamburg’s port are striking again to pressure for higher wages, disrupting operations and awaiting a fourth negotiation round with employers.

The national port associations miss commitments on seaport financing from Berlin. “It seems as if the government has run out of steam.” / Written by Harry de Wilt