German Port Workers Strike, Bringing Major Container Hubs to a Standstill

Workers at Germany's two largest container ports, Hamburg and Bremen-Bremerhaven, have gone on strike, causing significant disruptions.

The strikes, organized by the trade union Verdi, aim to push for higher wages in ongoing negotiations with the Central Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS). The industrial action began last Tuesday in Hamburg and later spread to Bremen-Bremerhaven, with workers at Emden port joining on Wednesday.

Verdi is demanding a EUR 3 per hour wage increase, especially for lower-paid workers, along with a shift allowance for those working unsocial hours. Verdi negotiator Maren Ulbrich stressed the need for these raises, particularly given recent inflation. "The offer from the employers is not acceptable to us," he said.

ZDS, the employers' group, criticized the strikes, calling them unnecessary. They argue that the strikes disrupt the reliability of German seaports, which are crucial to the economy. "The right to strike is in Germany's constitution, but it should be used with moderation," ZDS stated.

Despite the strikes, there may be progress in the negotiations. After five rounds of talks, ZDS has made a new offer that the union has recommended for acceptance. The proposal includes a EUR 1.15 per hour wage increase starting in October, a EUR 430 holiday pay boost, and a EUR 1,700 tax-free inflation compensation bonus. If accepted, the deal would run until August 2025.

The strikes have already led to significant disruptions, including rail operators being locked out of the Port of Hamburg last Friday. Rail freight operator Metrans reported that the port had stopped accepting trains, which has driven up transport costs and caused delays for customers.

Source: DW; The Load Star; Metrans