Massive warning strike at Edeka: food supply at risk!

Massive warning strike at Edeka: food supply at risk!

In the northern German idyll, more precisely in the Edeka central warehouse in Lüttow-Valluhn, the employees stopped work today. The early shift went on strike from four in the morning, which led to massive disruptions to production and logistics processes. The Verdi union has called this warning strike to draw attention to the urgently needed wage increases. Around 800 employees who are responsible for food supply in Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are sending a clear signal. Stern.de reports that due to the strike, restrictions must be expected in the Edeka markets, especially for fresh fruit and vegetables.

The union’s demands are clear. Verdi is demanding an increase of 200 euros per month for all salary groups for a term of just one year, which corresponds to a significant increase of around seven percent. In contrast, in the third round of negotiations, the employer only made a modest offer of 120 euros gross over two years. This offer was unanimously rejected by Verdi as it merely represented inflation compensation. Ostsee-Zeitung points out that the effects of the strike also affected the shelves of around 280 markets could affect Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

The background to the collective bargaining conflict

Collective bargaining disputes have become an increasingly important issue in recent years. According to a report by the German Economic Institute, the intensity of conflict in collective bargaining reached a record level of 15 points in 2023, the highest since the survey began. Retail, which includes Edeka, recorded particularly high conflict points (60 points). This suggests an increase in all-or-nothing holding positions where compromises are less likely to be achieved. The situation shows that both employers and unions are looking less for solutions and relying more on confrontation. Iwd.de explains this in detail.

For those affected on site, the warning strike is primarily a question of livelihood. Anyone who works in one of the company's largest central warehouses is not only confronted with current wages, but also with the constantly rising cost of living. The pressure on employers arises from the demand for fair and attractive working conditions, especially in times of a shortage of skilled workers. Governments and companies are required to find the right answers to these challenges when wages and salaries are negotiated in the near future.

Since the fourth round of negotiations has not yet been scheduled, there could possibly be further actions at the Lüttow-Valluhn site if working conditions are not improved. The next few days should be exciting as employees speak out and raise public awareness of the urgent calls for greater equity in the workplace.