The trade union behind the retail strikes – Verdi – said Monday’s action would impact several branches of IKEA, Rewe, Kaufland, Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof, Edeka, Thalia, Cos, H&M and Primark across Berlin and Brandenburg. In a statement announcing Monday’s strikes, Verdi said talks over pay increases in the retail sector had come to a standstill. Workers are calling for a 4.5 percent pay rise this year, in addition to a training allowance and a €45 bonus each month. They also want to negotiate a “pension-proof minimum wage” of €12.50 per hour for all shop workers. She pointed out that, with Germany’s 3.8 inflation driving up the cost of living, retail workers would still end up less well-off than before under the retail chains’ proposals.

Source: The Local September 13, 2021 09:56 UTC