Collective bargaining for around 160,000 parcel carriers, postmen and other employees in Germany has started at Deutsche Post. At the start on Friday in Fulda, it became clear that the ideas of the management and the employee representatives are still far apart.
The Verdi union backed up its demand for 15 percent more money. That was “necessary, fair and feasible,” said Verdi negotiator Andrea Kocsis. “Employees urgently need inflation compensation and they also expect a share in the company’s success.” A “permanent financial recognition for their work” is overdue.
The Post board of directors takes a different view and considers such strong increases in income to be “not justifiable”. A company spokesman said that a balance had to be struck between wage increases and economic viability, thereby safeguarding jobs. “Even today, the significantly declining result in the postal and parcel business is no longer sufficient for the necessary investments,” said the Post spokesman. Despite the different positions, it is assumed that progress will be made in the next round of negotiations “in fair and speedy talks”. On January 18th and 19th, the bargaining parties will meet again.
