A total of 60 collective bargaining rounds have taken place in the past nine months – all without success. Now the trade association is taking a new approach.
The German trade association has begun discussions on a possible new tariff structure in the deadlocked collective bargaining round for the retail sector.
Based on the experiences from more than 60 unsuccessful collective bargaining rounds in the past nine months, a possible realignment of the collective bargaining structures was also discussed, the HDE announced after discussions with the collective bargaining policy committee in Berlin. In the association’s opinion, there is currently no basis for discussion with Verdi.
The association called on the union to propose a solution that takes into account the actual performance of the industry. “The union must finally deliver here,” said HDE collective bargaining manager Steven Haarke.
The demands of the union
Verdi accused employers on Tuesday of refusing collective bargaining. Verdi tried to increase the pressure on employers with numerous warning strikes.
The union is demanding, among other things, at least 2.50 euros more per hour in retail in all regions for a period of one year. Depending on the country, there are additional requirements.
The employers recently offered a tariff increase of a total of 10.24 percent for a period of 24 months, as well as an inflation compensation bonus of 750 euros and a collective minimum wage.
In November, the HDE canceled all further negotiations at the regional level; it wanted to look for a solution with the Verdi federal executive board. Both sides agreed that negotiations should continue in the tariff areas. However, the talks in Hamburg on December 28th remained unsuccessful.
Source: Stern
