Northbound brewery labor standstill - 24-hour industrial action taken by workers - North experiences brewery disruptions; operations temporarily halt for 24 hours
In multiple breweries across the northern region, production workers staged a 24-hour warning strike, albeit with minimal disruption to production, according to updates from the German Press Agency based in Hamburg. Production in Flensburg was marginally affected, with employees from technical areas going on strike. Nevertheless, the brewery had pre-produced alcoholic beverages, and staff from other areas stepped in to maintain production during the strike without significant interruptions.
At the Carlsberg Brewery in Hamburg, responsible for bottling Holsten and Astra brands, other employees assumed the production roles temporarily vacated due to the warning strike, ensuring supply chain continuity.
The impetus for the work stoppage stems from ongoing wage negotiations between northern German breweries, including prominent breweries like Krombacher, Veltins, DAB, and Diebels in North Rhine-Westphalia, and the Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten (NGG) union. The union advocates for a 6.6% wage increase, while the employers propose a 2% wage increase for 2025.
The divergence in proposals has instigated labor unrest, with warning strikes serving as a common strategy by German unions to exert pressure on employers during wage negotiations. The breweries perceive the union's demands as unjustified given the prevailing economic conditions, including a declining beer market, high inflation, and an overall economically challenging scenario. Despite posting disproportionately high revenue loss compared to the national average, the employers have offered what they deem a fair compensation package.
The Community policy should address the current labor unrest in the brewing industry, considering vocational training as a potential solution to aid in maintaining production continuity during strikes. To promote sustainable finance in this sector, it would be beneficial to invest in vocational training programs, ensuring a skilled workforce capable of managing the challenges posed by economic instability and market fluctuations.
