Postbank Strikes Hit Eastern Germany as Wage Talks Stall

Employees at Postbank, part of the Deutsche Bank group, are escalating their industrial action with warning strikes across Germany, including in the eastern states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. The union Verdi has called for these strikes to take place from Thursday to Saturday, impacting various branches and call centers.

The current dispute centers on the collective bargaining for approximately 9,000 Postbank employees. The employer's latest offer includes a 2.4% wage increase effective July 2026, followed by another 2.3% a year later, after an initial period of three months with no pay rise. Verdi has declared this offer inadequate.

Katrin Behrens, a union secretary for financial services, emphasized the disparity between the proposed wage increases and the Deutsche Bank's recent financial performance. "Deutsche Bank has announced record results. The employees contributed significantly to this excellent annual result," Behrens stated. She added that many employees feel they are being asked to accept a real-terms pay cut while shareholders primarily benefit from the profits.

To further pressure negotiations, Verdi has organized a rally for employees from Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia in Leipzig on Thursday. The union is demanding an 8% pay increase, with a minimum monthly raise of 300 euros. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for June 15 in Frankfurt am Main.

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Deutsche Bank has announced record results. The employees contributed significantly to this excellent annual result.