In Germany, the ongoing collective agreement discussions between terminal operators and labour unions have escalated into strike actions at key ports, including Bremerhaven and Hamburg. Ver.di, a Berlin-based trade union, has initiated warning strikes at various terminals in anticipation of the forthcoming negotiation rounds scheduled for July 11 and 12.
The Port of Hamburg, with the exception of Frucht Terminal, will experience a 48-hour strike from 07:00 on July 9 to 07:00 on July 11. In Bremerhaven, a 24-hour work stoppage was planned from 14:00 on July 9 to 14:00 on July 10. These strikes aim to exert pressure on terminal operators ahead of the next negotiation session with the Central Association of German Seaport Companies (ZDS) in Bremen on July 11.
Ver.di negotiator Maren Ulbrich expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of negotiations, stating, "In the third round of negotiations, we were still far apart. The offer presented by the employers is not acceptable to us as it stands. Employers need to make more movement, especially regarding the proposed wage increases."
Source: container-news.com