Workers at Deutsche Post DHL are staging extensive strikes across all parcel centers in Germany, as called for by the trade union ver.di. This disruption is set to occur from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning, affecting logistics operations nationwide.
According to ver.di, the strike aims to underline the urgent need for improved pay and working conditions for employees involved. "With these extended warning strikes, workers are making it clear they expect significantly more from their employer during the upcoming fourth round of negotiations," stated Andrea Kocsis, the deputy chairperson of ver.di and negotiator.
The union argues the current wage offer from Deutsche Post is inadequate and would lead to substantial real wage losses for employees—especially at a time when the cost of living continues to rise. Lars-Uwe Rieck, regional director for postal services, freight, and logistics for Northern Germany and Hamburg, reinforces this point, indicating the most recent offer simply does not meet the demands of the workforce.
Approximately 750,000 packages are expected to remain unprocessed at facilities across Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Schleswig-Holstein due to the strike. The previous warning strike just weeks ago saw delays of about 1.4 million packages and 100,000 letters.
Workers at selected mail centers are also participating, with facilities affected including those in cities like Celle, Göttingen, Bremen, Freiburg, Pforzheim, and Waiblingen. The key issue at stake is the negotiation of pay raises and vacation days.
Ver.di is demanding a seven percent wage increase under a 12-month contract, impacting around 170,000 postal workers, parcel deliverers, and other logistics staff. Conversely, Deutsche Post has offered an increase of just 1.8 percent initially, followed by another increase of 2.0 percent at later dates, all under a more prolonged 27-month contract.
Compounding the tension, ver.di also insists on three additional vacation days, emphasizing the heightened workload faced by employees. According to the union, ver.di members would receive four extra days, but the company counters with only one extra holiday for employees who have less than 30 vacation days—it affects about two-thirds of their workforce.
The negotiations have reached an impasse as previous talks have yielded no resolution. The next scheduled round is set for Monday, where both sides hope to find common ground. Ver.di warns more strikes could be on the horizon if satisfactory proposals do not emerge.
"The recent call for additional warning strikes is unnecessary and detrimental to our customers," said Deutsche Post spokesperson, reflecting the company’s frustration over the continuous disruptions. While the extent of customer impact is currently unpredictable, disruptions are already creating delays.
Workers voicing their concerns, emphasized by Kocsis, are frustrated with the company’s offers amid rising living costs. The union points to this situation as evidence of the urgent need for change.
With the next round of negotiations looming, both sides recognize the potential for significant repercussions on delivery services nationwide. If past strikes are any indicator, the effects may ripple through the logistics network, creating delays not just for packages, but possibly letters as well.
This conflict not only highlights the pressure on logistics workers during peak times but also raises broader questions around labor rights and employer responsibilities within the changing economic environment.
Both Deutsche Post and the union face mounting pressure as they navigate these final talks. The hope remains for resolutions well before the holiday periods begin, which would likely escalate demands even more.