German post office facing further strikes

By Timur Kirez

BERLIN (AA) – With negotiations set to continue at Deutsche Post, the German post office, the union has announced further nationwide warning strikes at the company for Monday and Tuesday.

Affected are "selected operations" in all work areas, the Verdi union announced in Berlin on Sunday afternoon. This includes letter and parcel centers as well as the delivery of mail.

Already at the end of January, there were several days of major warning strikes against the backdrop of an ongoing wage dispute. According to the company, this led to disruptions in the delivery of letters and parcels. According to Verdi, tens of thousands of employees took part.

"This is once again a crystal-clear signal to the employers: the employees are ready to fight for their demands and now expect a round of negotiations that ends with a hefty pay increase," Verdi Deputy Chair and negotiator Andrea Kocsis said on the union's website.

According to Kocsis, it is incomprehensible that such a successful company is not prepared to compensate for the real wage losses suffered by employees as a result of inflation.

In the collective bargaining dispute, the union is demanding a 15% pay hike, as well as an increase in apprenticeship pay for each year of training by €200 ($215) per month for a period of one year. The union's demands also point to the post's expected record earnings.

The Postal Board rejected the demand as unrealistic, saying the vast majority of its profits are generated in the international business. The postal and parcel business, on the other hand, is declining, it said.

According to the union, rallies are also planned in 10 German cities in parallel to the new warning strikes.

Negotiations will continue on Wednesday and Thursday in Dusseldorf. Deutsche Post has announced that it will present an offer then.