Labor Dispute Halts Sanitation Services in North Rhine-Westphalia
Essen, Germany – Municipal waste collection and street cleaning services have been disrupted in numerous cities and towns across North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) as workers engage in warning strikes.
The German trade union Verdi has called for warning strikes in public utilities and waste management companies, citing a lack of progress in ongoing collective bargaining negotiations for public sector employees.
On Thursday, municipal utilities, water supply and wastewater disposal companies, and waste incineration plants across the country were affected by the strikes.
"Employees in utility and waste management companies, like the majority of those in the public service, have been working at the limit for years," said Vera Winnemund, managing director of Verdi Ruhr-West. "Rising workloads and unfilled positions are steadily increasing this pressure."
In Münster, for example, garbage collection has been suspended but will be rescheduled. However, bulky waste and organic waste collection have been canceled without replacement, as has street cleaning.
Among the striking companies are RheinEnergie, Stadtwerke Köln, RheinNetz, Stadtentwässerungsbetriebe Köln, and Energieversorgung Leverkusen.
Previous Strikes and Escalating Action
Last week, numerous regional warning strikes took place in NRW. For Friday, Verdi has issued calls for warning strikes in local public transportation in NRW, Baden-Württemberg, Bremen, Hesse, Lower Saxony, and Rhineland-Palatinate.
Union Demands
Verdi is demanding a wage increase of 10.5% over a period of 12 months for public sector employees, as well as improvements in working conditions and pensions.
Employer Response
The employers’ association VKA has rejected Verdi’s demands, arguing that they are unrealistic given the current economic situation.
Impact on Citizens
The warning strikes have disrupted essential public services, inconveniencing residents and businesses alike. Garbage accumulation and unswept streets pose health and safety concerns.
Negotiation Stalemate
Despite several rounds of negotiations, the two sides remain far apart in their positions. Verdi has warned that if no agreement is reached, further warning strikes and possibly even unlimited strikes may follow.
Mediation Attempts
The state of NRW has offered to mediate between the parties, but both sides have expressed skepticism about the prospects for a negotiated settlement.
Outlook
The warning strikes are expected to continue until progress is made in the collective bargaining negotiations. The impact on public services and the inconvenience to citizens will likely escalate if the dispute drags on.
Additional Information
- Verdi’s website: https://www.verdi.de
- VKA’s website: https://www.vka.de
- NRW Ministry of the Interior: https://www.mik.nrw.de/
- City of Münster: https://www.muenster.de
