Wage negotiations at DHL Worldwide Express GmbH
A two percent wage increase for 2,600 employees in Germany
DHL Worldwide Express (WWE) GmbH Deutschland’s management will pay the company’s 2,600 employees two percent more as of 1 May 2003. With this the company is giving a positive and employee-friendly signal to the wage negotiations held since the end of March with the trade union Verdi.
The trade union is demanding wage increases totalling five percent, as well as fixing works council positions and releasing works councils from work until 2006 together with a complete and permanent renunciation of dismissals. There were temporary walkouts at two locations in Germany, Bremen and Dortmund, by employees to confirm these demands. DHL WWE GmbH considers these demands to be completely out of proportion and unrealistic, in view of the strained economic situation.
During the second round of negotiations, the company instead offered wage increases totalling more than 3.5%, staggered from 1 May 2003 until the end of 2004. The trade union Verdi rejected this offer as being as unacceptable.
DHL WWE GmbH’s managing director, Chris Muntwyler, commented by saying, ‘We don’t want to burden our employees with this conflict. That’s why we are already realising the offer we presented and will increase our employees’ wages by two percent as of next month. We see this as an acknowledgement and appreciation of the performance of all employees whose daily commitment contributes decisively to the company’s success.’
© Copyright 2003 Deutsche Post AG / Masthead
