Deutsche Post and trade union Verdi this afternoon agreed on a last-minute deal to avoid an all-outpostal strike in Germany from Friday. A total of 93.1% of Verdi members had voted to strike.
Deutsche Post announced that the two sides had reached a wage agreement covering about130,000 employees that ensured a strike would be averted. Both parties agreed on an extended jobsecurity pact, a pay increase for workers covered by the collective-bargaining agreement andadditional weekly working time. The deal runs until June 30, 2010.
Deutsche Post employees covered by the agreement will receive a one-time payment of €200 aswell as a 4% salary increase from November 1, 2008 and a further 3% rise in December 2009. Verdihad originally demanded 7%.
There was also a compromise on the critical issue of working hours. Deutsche Post agreed tokeep the official working week at 38.5 hours. In return, paid breaks will be shortened so thatemployees will work about 50 minutes more each week. Deutsche Post also agreed that civil servantswould continue to work 38.5 hours a week instead of the originally planned 41 hours but have theirpaid breaks reduced so there will a net increase of 50 minutes.
In addition, Deutsche Post and Verdi reached a consensus on extending the existing employmentpact, which rules off layoffs, by 39 months to June 30, 2011.
Walter Scheurle, Management Board Member in charge of personnel, said: “Despite toughconditions, we have reached a compromise that both sides can live with. The long-term agreementreached without further strikes is good news for our employees, customers and shareholders. It alsogives the company planning security.”
Verdi had earlier announced that 93.1% of its members at Deutsche Post had voted in favour ofstrike action from May 2 in support of their demands. The ballot was held from April 25 to 29.
Talks between Deutsche Post and Verdi were resumed this morning. Negotiations between the twosides broke down earlier this month amid a series of regional warning strikes.
