Postal Workers Strike: Low Participation Reported in German Brief Centers

The ongoing labor dispute involving the Deutsche Post escalated on Tuesday as the Verdi union initiated strike actions targeting various brief centers across Germany. According to the postal service, the participation in these protests has been relatively low, prompting the company to emphasize the importance of negotiations.

Verdi has organized strikes at selected brief centers, including locations in Heilbronn, Mannheim, Freiburg, Offenburg, as well as cities in North Rhine-Westphalia such as Cologne, Bonn, Hagen, and Siegen. The union's campaign is part of a broader effort to pressure employers amid ongoing wage negotiations.

Verdi's chief negotiator articulated that the union is committed to advocating for the rights and demands of workers, which include a significant wage increase and additional vacation days. However, the Deutsche Post has reported only about 450 workers participating in strikes across 21 locations, indicating a lesser impact than expected.

Brief centers play a crucial role in sorting mail and preparing it for delivery, managing an average of over 40 million letters on typical business days. Last week, Verdi had already interrupted operations at other sites, resulting in substantial delays in mail and package deliveries.

While the effects of Tuesday's strike are anticipated to be felt by consumers on Wednesday, the immediate impact may be limited. This is because delivery hubs had been stocked prior to the strike, thus postal workers were able to carry out regular duties initially. However, it is projected that fewer letters will be collected than usual, leaving some mailboxes empty.

Verdi is advocating for a wage increase of seven percent for approximately 170,000 employees under its tariff agreements with Deutsche Post. Additionally, the union is seeking three extra vacation days for workers, with Verdi members potentially receiving four additional days. These demands stem from rising living costs and increased workloads, highlighting the necessity for improved work-life balance.

In response, Deutsche Post has expressed concerns regarding the proposed wage increases, suggesting that the requests exceed what is economically feasible given the declining volume of traditional mail and the necessary investments required for modernization. The company has stated that it will present a counter-offer during the next round of negotiations scheduled for February 12.

Union representatives have urged the postal service to reconsider its stance, emphasizing that employees are best positioned to identify effective measures to enhance workplace conditions and achieve fair compensation.