Wage Dispute: Hamburg Port Workers Begin Warning Strike as Verdi Seeks 8.2% Pay Rise

A 48-hour warning strike began at Hamburg port after Germany’s Verdi union called workers out for a second time during collective bargaining for the country’s seaports.

The stoppage includes workers at more than a dozen businesses, including HHLA’s Altenwerder, Burchardkai and Tollerort container terminals, Eurogate’s container terminal and the Gesamthafenbetriebs-Gesellschaft. Verdi said a demonstration would begin at 9 a.m. Friday at the Burchardkai container terminal parking lot and move through the port.

The union previously organized a 24-hour walkout on Aug. 18 in Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven, Bremen, Brake and Emden. That action slowed the movement of goods and halted it in some areas.

Workers rejected an offer from the Central Association of German Seaport Operators after the third round of negotiations, according to Verdi. More than 6,000 employees took part in a weeklong consultation. The employers offered a 5.1% wage increase retroactive to Aug. 1, 2026, over an 18-month contract, along with an increase of at least 1.20 euros per hour. Verdi is demanding an 8.2% increase over 12 months, with a minimum rise of 2.50 euros per hour.

“This offer is not enough. Employers cannot simply ignore that,” said André Kretschmar, Verdi’s sector head.

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This offer is not enough. Employers cannot simply ignore that.