News

The second round of collective negotiations has failed on the wage dispute in the paper, paperboard and plastics processing sector of Germany. The last offer from Ver.di, 3.7 % wage increase for 12 months, was rejected by HPV, the Employer Association. Ver.di decreased its wage request from 5,5% to 3,7% under the condition that the collective agreements in the sector are either compulsory or industry minimum wages are to be introduced.

“Refusing the collective agreement to be generally binding demonstrates that employers want to their employees to bear their ruinous price competition” said Frank Werneke, Vice President of Ver.di, “ the employer cannot refuse the wage increases by arguing that this undermines the competitiveness of enterprises while refusing at the same time to take advantage of the improved legal means to prevent collective escape"

As a result of the collective dispute, the workers from approximately 50 companies in the paper industry went on warning strikes on 15th September, which demonstrate full support of workers to Ver.di's demands.

The next round of negotiations for the approximately 100,000 employees of the paper processing sector will take place in Berlin on 1 October 2014.

For updates please visit: http://medien-kunst-industrie.verdi.de/presse