Overview
- Ver.di launched warning strikes on Friday in the wholesale and retail sectors in Berlin and in the wholesale sector in Brandenburg to increase pressure ahead of the next negotiation round.
- The union is demanding a 7 percent wage increase with a guaranteed monthly floor, higher apprentice pay and a pension‑secure minimum hourly wage of €14.90.
- Ver.di rejected a recent Bavarian agreement that rises 2.9 percent from August and a further 2.1 percent next May because it says that deal would leave many low‑paid workers below legal minimums in Berlin and Brandenburg.
- Parts of the Brandenburger retail sector cannot strike now because of a remaining 'Friedenspflicht,' a contractual peace obligation that bars industrial action while an agreement is in force.
- The concrete effect on shops is unclear given low union density in retail, but the union is staging a central rally at Wittenbergplatz with Gregor Gysi to boost public pressure and shape upcoming talks.