The collective bargaining conflict between the Verdi service union and Rewe, the second largest food retailer in Germany after Edeka, has no end for the time being.
At least not in the Rewe central warehouse south in Eitting: there Verdi called for a strike rally at 6 a.m. on St. Nicholas Day.
Eitting - It was the third strike since mid-August - but the second in a row with little response.
When asked, Rewe said that just 13 of the 600 employees had gone on strike.
As reported, there were still 140 in August, which also affected the processes in the camp at the time.
But this time “everything could be picked and delivered as planned.
This also applies to our warehouse in Buttenheim near Bamberg," said spokeswoman Ursula Egger.
There were 21 strikers among 600 employees.
"Recognition and respect also when it comes to pay," demands Verdi.
In the cooperative wholesale trade in Bavaria, the employers have been refusing a corresponding collective agreement for the past 19 months, according to criticism.
The biggest blocker is Rewe with its two logistics locations in Bavaria.
Verdi negotiator and strike leader in Eitting, Thomas Gürlebeck, speaks of a "bottomless impudence.
Under the leadership of Rewe, employers are still offering a ridiculous 1.7 percent salary increase for 2022.
It goes without saying that this is miles away from the current reality of life” – with over ten percent inflation.
Rewe insists "on a degree that massively aggravates the income situation," says Gürlebeck.
For classification:
On average, an employee of the logistics center earns 2,300 euros gross per month, as in Eitting.
Gürlebeck expressly does not rule out further strikes during the Christmas period.
It's a particularly busy time.
Rewe Süd sees itself as a victim of the union and emphasizes: "So far only Rewe has been on strike, no other employer in the cooperative wholesale trade - despite Rewe's declared willingness to talk".
In a statement, Rewe defends itself against the union, which is blocking the collective bargaining agreement, with reference to Christmas bonus payments and corona bonuses.
And that despite the fact that Rewe had already paid in advance - also with a voluntary increase in remuneration by three percent and since April by a further 1.7 percent.
