German port workers edge toward indefinite strike after ver.di rejects pay offer
About 5,500 German port workers voted to reject the latest pay offer from the Central Association of German Seaport Operators, moving the sector closer to an indefinite strike. The vote raises the prospect of a widespread walkout that could exacerbate existing congestion already sidelining 1.7m teu of container capacity. Industry analysts note that the congestion has effectively removed that volume from global trade flows.
The United Services Union (ver.di) held the ballot after talks with the Central Association of German Seaport Operators stalled over wage demands. The union says its members work across Germany’s port network, which includes major hubs such as Hamburg and Bremen. Persistent congestion has already removed roughly 1.7m teu of shipping capacity from the market. The vote follows a series of talks between ver.di and the ZDS over pay increases. The ballot took place earlier this week after the latest offer was presented by the employers’ group. Ver.di said 5,500 workers participated in the vote.
Global port congestion has been keeping about 1.7m teu of container shipping capacity out of the market. The Loadstar reports that this congestion is effectively removing that volume from global trade. The congestion has been described as persistent, continuing to affect global shipping flows.
What we know
Persistent port congestion is removing 1.7m teu of container shipping capacity from the global market.
About 5,500 workers voted on the employers’ latest pay offer.
Ver.di members voted to reject the latest employment offer from the Central Association of German Seaport Operators.
The prospect of a widespread indefinite strike across Germany’s port network grew this week.