New round of strikes for Deutsche Post
May 15, 2015
Continuing this year's wave of industrial action, Germany's postal and logistics giant Deutsche Post has launched a new round of strike action on Friday, according to the German labor union Verdi.
Workers across most German sates are taking part in the walkout. Verdi is expecting "significant disruption," Uwe Speckenwirth, Verdi's department head for postal services, said, adding that many consumers will be missing their letters and parcels.
The main bone of contention between Verdi and Deutsche Post's management is the company's plan to create thousands more staff positions in separate entities that would pay less than the wages agreed by current collective bargaining agreements.
The union, which represents some 140,000 company employees, also calls for a 5.5-percent payrise as well as a shortening of the working week from 38.5 to 36 hours without any loss of pay.
Negotiations wih management will continue on May 21 and 22.
el/ng (AFP, Reuters)