Warning strikes in northern Germany: breweries stand still!

Warning strikes in northern Germany: breweries stand still!

Jever, Deutschland - On June 11, 2025, warning strikes will take place in Northern German breweries, which were initiated by the Food-Enjoyment-Enterface (NGG) union. The reason for the strip is the lack of agreement in the collective bargaining round. As of today, the NGG calls for a 24-hour warning strike in Jever and 48 hours in Hamburg and Lübz. The warning strikes start with the early shift at 6 a.m., while a strike rally in Jever is planned at 9 a.m.

affected breweries include the Carlsberg brewery in Hamburg, known for the brands Holsten and Astra, the Lübz brewery in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the Frisian brewery in Jever in Lower Saxony. The union calls for a wage increase of 6 % at a term of one year. The employer offer has so far been 3.7 % and is structured in two stages at a term by the end of 2026. In Jever there is also its own house tariff, where the NGG even demands 7 % for one year. Employers offer 4.2 % in two levels over two years.

background of the tariff conflicts

The negotiator of the NGG, Johanna Waldeck, describes the current situation as extremely tense and announced that there have never been so hardened fronts. Although both parties recently showed slight approaches, an agreement has so far failed. However, the hope of a solution remains, however, because a degree in July is sought in the industry. At the end of May there were 24-hour warning strikes, but they were without any noteworthy production failures.

The legal framework for strikes in Germany is anchored by Article 9 paragraph 3 of the Basic Law (GG), which unions granted the right to form associations for enforcing working and economic conditions. Labor struggles, which also include strikes, are central instruments to enforce claims, even if they are not explicitly mentioned in the GG. The industrial action is regulated by judge law of the Federal Labor Court (BAG), although there has been no concrete law to regulate strikes.

legal situation and strikes

strikes are particularly constitutionally protected if they affect the conditions of the employment relationship and are used to enforce employee interests. Different forms of strikes, such as attack and defense strikes as well as support strikes, are framed by the legal requirements. Nevertheless, wild strikes that are not organized by unions do not enjoy any protection. Officials, soldiers and judges are also excluded from the right to strike according to the legal provisions.

In Germany, tariff autonomy plays a crucial role in maintaining social peace, whereby the state must take on a neutral attitude in tariff matters. Interference of the state in tariff conflicts are legally inadmissible, which forms the basis for the current negotiations.

The situation in the north German breweries remains tense, and the coming days could be crucial for further developments in the tariff conflict. While the NGG hopes for a substantial wage increase, it remains to be seen whether a compromise can be found that is portable for both sides.

For more information about the strikes in the north German breweries, see the reporting of FAZ and Börsennews . A discussion about the legal framework of strikes can also be found in the bpb .