Workers at Brazilian postal operator Correios and two DHL businesses in Germany are poised totake industrial action this week in separate disputes over pay and working conditions.
In Brazil, Correios staff were due to meet today (Monday) at meetings across the country todebate an offer for a 5.2% pay rise for the organisation’s 120,000 employees or whether to start anational strike.
Correios has said the offer will guarantee workers’ purchasing power as it covers inflation andhopes the proposal will be accepted in order to guarantee normal services to society. Over the lastnine years staff have seen their salaries rise by 35% in real terms, it added.
But the postal workers federation Fentect is demanding a 43.7% pay rise, which it justifies onthe grounds that workers need to catch up for past years. The union warned that if workers supporta strike, this could start immediately tomorrow.
Brazil already suffered a damaging four-week strike last September – October in a disputeover pay and working conditions. The strike was ended by a court ruling that ordered workers backto their jobs and imposed a 6.87% pay rise that the unions had previously rejected.
Meanwhile, in Germany, the Verdi union announced that it will organise warning strikes at twoDeutsche Post subsidiaries, DHL Solutions Retail and DHL Solutions Fashion, at various locationsthis week which could result in delayed deliveries of clothes and consumer goods to retailers andprivate customers.
The union is demanding a 7% pay increase over 12 months for some 2,100 staff at the twocompanies. “Our members are waiting for the employer to finally make a solid offer,” said theunion’s deputy leader, Andrea Kocsis. Talks on 6-7 September ended without agreement and furthernegotiations are due on 13-14 September.
