Verdi Pushes for Collective Bargaining as Duisport Workers Await Response
Verdi, a union, has extended an olive branch to Duisport, offering negotiations. However, Duisport's works council has yet to respond. Duisport, a crucial port operator, is owned by the city of Duisburg and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The union questions Duisport's wage claims and seeks a collective agreement for workers.
Duisport, a significant player in the German port industry, finds itself at the centre of a labour dispute. Verdi, representing workers, has proposed talks, but the Duisport works council has not engaged with these requests. The union challenges Duisport's assertion of paying 'above-tariff' wages without a formal collective bargaining agreement.
Verdi's demands centre around a comprehensive area-wide collective agreement for Duisburg Port and Duisport AG. A non-representative survey of over 200 workers by Verdi suggests a majority support this move. However, the level of support among Duisport's entire workforce remains unclear, as no official employee survey results are available.
Tensions persist between Verdi and Duisport's works council. Verdi accuses the council of not adequately representing blue-collar workers and excluding them from negotiations. Some Duisport workers have also aired grievances about their wages and working conditions, drawing unfavourable comparisons with nearby public ports.
Verdi's offer for talks with Duisport remains unanswered, leaving the labour dispute unresolved. Duisport's ownership structure, involving both the city of Duisburg and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, adds complexity to the situation. The union's push for a collective health agreement continues, with worker support seemingly strong, although official verification is needed.
