Strikes also took place at other Hochland locations and milk processing companies, sometimes simultaneously and sometimes at different times. A new round of Bavarian collective bargaining negotiations is scheduled for Wednesday.
Collective bargaining negotiations are underway in the German dairy sector but are stuck over a demanded wage increase. Last week, workers at a milk factory in WĂĽrzburg also went on strike. There, the focus was not only on higher wages but also on improving overall working conditions.
Employees of companies such as Hochland and other dairy factories in Schongau, Kempten, and WĂĽrzburg stopped work for several hours to demand higher wages and better working conditions. They are demanding a 12 percent wage increase along with improved employment conditions.
The food industry union NGG (Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten) plays a central role in these actions. The union points out that current wages are not in line with inflation and rising living costs in Germany.
Employers had offered a 3 percent wage increase this year and another 2 percent next year. However, the food union criticizes that those with higher salaries would benefit more from this. Improvements are also needed for interns: among other things, they should receive 100 euros more per month.
The dairy industry employers have so far not responded to the demands of the union and workers, keeping the situation tense. The NGG has announced that strikes will continue until a satisfactory solution is reached.
The strikes are strategically planned and have already affected production processes within the affected companies. In some factories, more than 200 employees have participated in the strikes, sending a clear message to employers about the seriousness of their demands.
The dairy industry employers have given mixed reactions to the strikes. While some show understanding for the employees’ demands and are willing to sit down for further negotiations, others are reserved and point to the economic challenges the sector faces.