DHL workers in Germany are set to stage a one-day strike, as the Verdi union demands wage hikes to keep pace with rising inflation. The strike is part of a broader trend of labor action in Germany, where unions are increasingly turning to strikes to demand pay increases.
The Verdi union has announced a one-day strike at the Deutsche Post postal service, which is a subsidiary of the DHL logistics giant.
The strike is set to take place as workers demand wage hikes to keep pace with rising inflation.
The Verdi trade union is seeking a 7% wage increase and additional paid leave for its members, who number around 170,000.
‘unacceptable’ was stated by Andrea Kocsis, the Verdi deputy chairperson, that the firm’s position on pay hikes is
and emphasized the need for wage increases to cope with high living costs.
Deutsche Post has responded by citing high operating costs in the industry and calling for ‘economically viable’ salary increases.
The next round of talks between Verdi and Deutsche Post is scheduled for February 12-13.
The strike at DHL comes amid a broader trend of labor action in Germany, with unions increasingly turning to strikes to demand pay increases.
In recent years, pilots and cabin crew at the Lufthansa subsidiary Discover Airlines staged a four-day strike in August 2024, while workers at the ports of Hamburg and Bremen-Bremerhaven stopped work in July.
Germany’s economy has been struggling with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, resulting in substantial inflation and sluggish growth.
Economists have noted that the rising cost of living is a major concern for workers, making Verdi’s demands for wage increases all the more pressing.
DHL workers are employed by Deutsche Post DHL Group, the world's largest logistics company.
As of 2022, the company has over 550,000 employees worldwide.
DHL workers play a crucial role in ensuring timely and efficient delivery of packages across the globe.
They work in various roles, including drivers, warehouse staff, customer service representatives, and management personnel.
According to the company's website, over 70% of its workforce is made up of hourly-paid workers, with the remaining 30% being salaried employees.
Deutsche Post, now known as Deutsche Post DHL Group, has a rich history dating back to 1558 when the first postal system was established in Germany.
Over the centuries, the company evolved into a national postal service, expanding its services to include parcel delivery and logistics.
In 1995, Deutsche Post was privatized and began expanding globally through strategic acquisitions and partnerships.
Today, it is one of the world's largest logistics companies, with operations in over 220 countries.
A DHL workers strike is a labor dispute between employees of the logistics company DHL and management.
Strikes can be caused by issues such as unfair labor practices, poor working conditions, or disputes over wages and benefits.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 11,976 work stoppages in the US from 2019-2020.
In a typical strike, employees may refuse to work until their demands are met, which can lead to disruptions in supply chains and economic losses for the company.
DHL has experienced several strikes globally, with notable incidents in the UK, Germany, and Australia.
