Unilever workers stage walkout in Germany
Unilever staff in Germany’s Baden-Württemberg region went on a “warning strike” yesterday (7 July) in a dispute over wages.
Taking place at Unilever’s fruit and vegetable processing site in Heilbronn, which manufacturers Knorr brand products, the NGG union said it had called on 550 early and late shift workers to down their tools for a three-hour period.
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The NGG is demanding a 6.2% wage increase for all workers and the next negotiations with Unilever are set to take place today (8 July).
A warning strike is typically used to warn employers of staff’s willingness to strike.
According to the union, the employees want to send a clear message with the warning strike. They are now calling on Unilever to present a “fair and respectful offer” at the negotiation meeting.
Speaking on Unilever’s initial offer, NGG union secretary for the Heilbronn region Kerem Billor said: “2.5% as a first step, followed by a further 2.2% as a second step over two years is unacceptable.
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By GlobalData“Due to the ever-increasing pressure on the company, the high demand for skilled workers in the industry, and the persistently high price level, employees deserve a noticeable increase in their wallets.
“We therefore remain committed to demanding a 6.2% increase in wages and training allowances for a period of 12 months. We are demanding an increase of €150 ($176) for trainees.
“With this warning strike, our colleagues will send a clear message and call on the employers to present a fair and appreciative offer at the upcoming negotiation meeting,” Billor added.
“Our colleagues will not be fobbed off with crumbs. They deserve a fair wage increase.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Unilever Germany said: “We can confirm that the NGG union has called for a one-day warning strike at our Knorr factory in Heilbronn. We respect the right to strike as part of collective bargaining in Germany.
The spokesperson added that the site was staying fully operational during the strike, and that Unilever did not expect “any disruption to production or customer supply.”
Unilever’s total revenue for 2024 was approximately €60.8bn ($71.3bn). Whilst the food manufacturer’s revenue in Germany is not broken down separately, the company reported a 2.9% growth in sales for Europe in 2022.
Employees at frozen pizza maker Dr Oetker also staged a warning strike last month in a call for higher pay.
According to the NGG union at the time, more than 200 employees took part in the walkout.
The NGG union demanded a €280 increase in wages the employees and accused Dr Oetker’s management of putting staff wages in “deep-freeze mode” and placing negotiations on hold.
A spokesperson for Dr. Oetker said at the time: “Dr. Oetker is happy to discuss its position in exchange with the collective bargaining committee and the NGG trade union.
“However, this requires the willingness of both sides to start the talks in a solution-oriented manner.”
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