Strike campaign at Carl Kühne: Grillsaucen production stands still!

Strike campaign at Carl Kühne: Grillsaucen production stands still!

Berlin-Reinickendorf, Deutschland - In the Saucen plant from Carl Kühne in Berlin-Reinickendorf has started a 24-hour strike this morning. Organized by the Food Guest Gaststics Union (NGG), around 210 employees have participated in order to put the great pressure in the declining tariff conflict during the busy barbecue season. Ngg wants to emphasize the demands for higher wages, since the company's existing offer creates little incentive to accept the working conditions.

The employer side originally had an extension of the weekly working hours. However, this offer was withdrawn after the first warning strikes, which only further heated up the dissatisfaction of the workforce. Employers offer wage increases that are below the current inflation rate, and the employees are determined not to accept any loss of purchasing power. "We are calling for a wage increase of seven percent or at least an increase of 241 euros per month," explains Rebecca Rahe, negotiator of the NGG. These demands aim to reduce the distance from the wages in the factory in North Rhine-Westphalia.

barbecue season and strike actions

In the current tariff conflict, the employees also call for a withdrawal of the planned extension of working hours. A 38-hour week currently applies, and the NGG categorically rejects an extension and instead pleads for a reduction in working hours. Protests with whistles have already been organized in front of the bold plant to draw attention to the grievances. Right now, at the beginning of the barbecue season, the popular grill sauces from the Berlin plant are particularly in demand. This makes the situation appear all the more explosive.

A look at the tariff history shows that there is a certain need for action. Facts on tariff binding in Germany show that the proportion of collective bargaining companies has dropped greatly in recent years. From 48 percent in 2000, this value fell to only 29 percent in 2018. In western Germany, tariff bond was 70 percent, and 55 percent in the east. This illustrates the challenges that both sides have to cope with in the negotiations.

an outlook on the negotiations

The next negotiation between the NGG and the management of Carl Kühne takes place on September 9th. The tensions are noticeable, and whether the negotiations lead to an agreement remains to be seen. The employees concerned rely on their solidarity and the support of the union to enforce their legitimate interests. Whether the steak will soon be on the grill without a sauce depends not least on the upcoming negotiations.