Industrial action looming over compensation discussions for brewing sector workers - Upcoming brewery work stoppage amidst impending tariff increases
Ongoing Wage Talks in Saxony's Brewing Industry Lead to Warning Strikes
In the heart of Germany, the brewing industry in Saxony is currently facing a significant disruption due to ongoing warning strikes. The Food, Beverages and Catering Union (NGG) is leading the charge, threatening to extend the strikes into another week unless employers make concessions [1].
The union is demanding a 7 percent wage increase and an additional 100 euros for trainees [1][2]. However, the employers’ association has so far only offered less than 3 percent average wage increase, a proposal that the NGG considers insufficient [1].
Despite employers claiming to have offered "well over 5 percent" in wage increase, the NGG has rejected this, accusing employers of blocking meaningful progress [1]. Two negotiation rounds have failed to resolve the dispute, leading to continuing strikes that are severely disrupting brewery deliveries and leaving many pubs and markets without supply [1].
As a result, approximately 250,000 hectoliters, or nearly 50 million bottles of beer, have not been produced or bottled due to the labor dispute. Uwe Ledwig, regional chairman of NGG and lead negotiator, stated, "It's brewing, but not in the tank."
The NGG union has called for warning strikes at five breweries: Sternburg Brewery Leipzig, Krostitzer Brewery, Radeberger Brewery, Freiberger Brewery, and Wernesgrüner Brewery. These breweries are the ones affected by the warning strikes.
The collective bargaining talks are scheduled for Thursday in Leipzig. The warning strikes are being carried out by employees of the specified breweries, and are being conducted ahead of the collective bargaining talks. The reason for the warning strikes is the lack of an offer from the companies.
The wage gap between East and West in the industry is a significant issue for the NGG. Employees in Saxony are receiving more than 4,000 euros less per year than their colleagues in the West. The NGG is hoping that these talks will address this issue and bring parity to the industry.
This reflects a significant labor dispute with an impasse on wage level demands and ongoing industrial action [1][2]. The parties involved will meet again soon to continue the negotiations and hopefully find a resolution to this ongoing issue.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2]
- The Food, Beverages and Catering Union (NGG) is advocating for an increase in vocational training opportunities within the brewing industry, as a means to improve their members' skillset and competitiveness in the job market.
- In an effort to reduce the wage gap between East and West within the brewing industry, the NGG is pressing for improved finance options to facilitate vocational training, which they believe will ultimately benefit both employees and the industry as a whole.
