Resumed Strikes in Breweries in Northern Regions - Brewery strikes persist in the northern region, causing disruption
Title: Union's Wage Demands Ignite Warning Strikes in Northern Breweries
Union Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten (NGG) sets sights on greater pay in northern Germany's beer giants once more. Following unsuccessful wage talks, another round of warning strikes has been initiated at Jever, Astra, Holsten, and Lübz breweries beginning today.
The industrial action will kick off at 6 AM, with the early shift, and will persist for 24 hours in Jever and 48 hours in Hamburg and Lübz. Protesters will rally at 9 AM outside Jever's factory gates. Meanwhile, breweries in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Lübz), Lower Saxony (Jever), and Hamburg—Carlsberg included—will feel the ripples.
Past Warning Strikes Minimally Disrupt Production, but Heightened Tensions Persist
In late May, two 24-hour warning strikes paralyzed parts of the brewing industry without leaving lasting effects on production, according to companies. Union chief Finn Petersen, speaking on behalf of the NGG, emphasized that the message from the initial strikes "wasn't clear enough" and further action is required.
The union demands a 6% increase in wages for brewery workers effective immediately, with terms set for one year. Employers reportedly offered a 3.7% increase, spread out over two stages, extending until the end of 2026.
Jever's House Tariff in the Spotlight
In Jever, where a unique house tariff is applied, union demands reach 7% for an annual wage increase. The offer on the table is merely a 4.2% increment over a two-year period. Johanna Waldeck, the NGG negotiator for Jever, shares that "the situation has never been this tense," and both parties have yet to find a resolution, despite recent progress. Waldeck is optimistic for a conclusion in July.
- Wage Negotiations
- Warning Strike
- Union Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten (NGG)
- Brewhouse
- Jever
- Lübz
- Hamburg
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Lower Saxony
Local disputes and NGG negotiations across the beer-producing regions have been fueled by the union's push for a substantial wage increase. NGG advocates for a 6.6% salary hike for all employees and additional monthly stipends of €280 for full-timers and €130 for apprentices in 2025[1]. Employer offers, in contrast, have been met with criticism, comprising a 2% wage boost for 2025 and 2.2% for 2026[2], which the union deems insufficient for maintaining high-quality beer production.
[1] https://theta-ngg.de/news/s'wage'- & #39;contribution'-from'employers'-to'be'increased'[2] https://www.baltic-connector.com/news-opinion/ngg-rejects-offer-from-brewing-industry-to-end-strike/
- The Commission could consider proposing a directive in the manufacturing and finance industries, focusing on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, as the Union Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten (NGG) continues to advocate for substantial wage increases in the brewery sector.
- Despite the limited impact of previous warning strikes on production, the heightened tensions in the brewing industry could potentially inspire similar industrial actions in other manufacturing sectors, including the ionizing radiation industry.
