Post Delivers Backlogged Shipments Following Strike Actions

The Deutsche Post is working to swiftly deliver mail and package shipments that were delayed due to recent warning strikes organized by the Verdi union. A spokesperson for the company stated that they expect to resolve the backlog and resume normal operations by the start of the upcoming week.

As a result of the strikes, which saw participation from around 7,500 employees on Saturday and approximately 7,700 on Friday, nearly 10% of the day's expected mail and packages were left undelivered. This disruption was felt nationwide, affecting all regions and types of deliveries, including combined services where a single employee handles both letters and parcels.

Verdi has emphasized that the high participation rates in these strikes signal to the employers that employees are seeking better compensation. The union is advocating for a 7% pay increase for approximately 170,000 postal workers, which would be implemented over a twelve-month contract. Additionally, they are requesting three extra vacation days for employees and an additional day off for union members.

Currently, the postal service has proposed a pay increase structured over a 27-month period, starting with an initial rise of 1.8%, followed by an additional 2.0%. The upcoming negotiations, set to commence on Monday, mark the fourth round in the ongoing tariff conflict. Verdi is hopeful for a more favorable offer from the employers during these talks.

The warning strikes have been a tactic employed by Verdi in recent weeks to escalate pressure on the employers during negotiations. The most significant impact was noted on Wednesday, when one-quarter of the expected parcel deliveries could not proceed as planned due to the strike actions.

As the situation unfolds, both parties appear to be gearing up for potentially pivotal discussions that could reshape the terms of employment for postal workers in Germany.