Strike at Mineral Sources Bad Liebenwerda: Employees demand fairness!

Strike at Mineral Sources Bad Liebenwerda: Employees demand fairness!

Bad Liebenwerda, Deutschland - On May 27, 2025, the employees of the beverage manufacturer mineral sources in Bad Liebenwerda put down their work. This was done as part of a warning strike called out by the Food Guest Gaststätzen (NGG) union to draw attention to the existing wage differences in Hesse. The strike follows an unsuccessful second round of negotiations, in which NGG demanded a wage increase of 8.5 percent, which would mean around 300 euros more a month for skilled workers. In the sister company Rhöner Sprudel, the employees already earn around 400 euros more than their colleagues in Bad Liebenwerda.

The employer only considered a wage increase of three percent possible in the negotiations, which is criticized by the unions. They argue that wages in the east are often justified with the lower living costs, while employees in Bad Liebenwerda work 40 hours a week, while only 38 hours are common in the Hessian plant. The proportion of unionized employees in Bad Liebenwerda is around 75 percent.

collective bargaining and claims

The collective bargaining should continue at the beginning of June, which is considered a crucial moment for future wage development. In the public service, too, the world of work is faced with challenging tariff groups. According to information from WSI, employees were carried out for the public service until September 27, 2024. The focus here is on increases in fees and working time regulations. In October 2024, the ver.di Federal Center Commission decided on claims that include a fee of 8.0 percent, but at least 350 euros per month, with a term of twelve months.

The unions also require an increase in training allowances, higher surcharges for stressful activities and additional free days. In contrast, the association of municipal employers (VKA) described these claims as excessive and endangering for the municipalities. The collective bargaining in the public service are shaped by a high industrial place, since numerous warning strikes and protest actions took place in advance.

collective negotiation structures in comparison

Die Situation in Deutschland ist besonders bemerkenswert, wenn man die Tarifbindung betrachtet. According to the Federal Center for Political Education, the proportion of tariff-bound companies in Germany is only 29 percent, compared to 67 percent in 2000. However, the collective bargaining is still high in the public sector, while in other areas, such as information and communication services. In Germany, the joy of strike is relatively low in international comparison.

Although the tariff increases in Germany have increased in recent years, the trade union organizational level is rather weak with only 20 percent in European comparison. After the 2018 tariff round, which took place under the impression of strong number of strikes, the climb was left behind the expectations. This illustrates the challenges that have to be overcome in upcoming collective bargaining.

The coming weeks will be decisive for the employees in Bad Liebenwerda and the public service. The outcome of the ongoing negotiations could have a profound effects on the wage structure and working conditions in the industries concerned.

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